Milwaukee City Wire

The Horizon League has released its 2025 preseason volleyball poll, ranking the Milwaukee Panthers second among the league's teams. The poll, which was made public on Wednesday, shows Milwaukee receiving 86 points and one first-place vote, placing them just behind Wright State, which secured 94 points and six first-place votes.

Milwaukee enters the season after a strong performance in 2024, finishing with a 15-3 record in conference play. The team brings back key players including Kara Erdmann, who was named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team honors last year. Natalie Schmitz, recognized as a Second Team selection, returns for her senior season. Milica Tomic, part of last year's All-Freshman Team, will also be on the roster.

This year's lineup consists of nine returning letterwinners, three transfer student-athletes, and five freshmen.

Green Bay is ranked third in the preseason poll with 80 points and one first-place vote. Cleveland State follows in fourth place with 65 points and two first-place votes. IU Indy (62 points) and Northern Kentucky (57 points) are projected to take the remaining postseason spots according to votes from the league's ten coaches.

Further down in the rankings are Purdue Fort Wayne with 35 points; Oakland and Robert Morris tied for eighth place at 26 points each; and Youngstown State rounding out the list with 19 points.

The Panthers' season begins Friday evening when they visit Baxter Arena in Omaha for two matches against Omaha. Their home opener is scheduled for September 5 against Iowa State. Conference play starts on September 26 at Klotsche Center with a match against Oakland.

"Wright State

94 (6)

Milwaukee

86 (1)

Green Bay

80 (1)

Cleveland State

65 (2)

IU Indy

62

Northern Kentucky

57

Purdue Fort Wayne

35

Oakland

26

Robert Morris

26

Youngstown State

19"