Aug. 18, 2010

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's volleyball team has been picked to win the 2010 Horizon League Championship according to a poll of the league's coaches released today.

The Panthers claimed the first-place vote of all eight of the other head coaches in the league, with coaches not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Milwaukee has won five of the last six regular season titles. Last season, UWM finished third during the regular season before claiming the league tournament title.

UWM returns five of its seven starters from a season ago, including all-league performer Jena Berg and senior middle blockers Maddie Sueppel and Natalie Schmitting.

Cleveland State was picked to finish second in the poll after winning the regular season crown last year. Valparaiso was selected for third with Butler fourth. UIC, Loyola, Green Bay, Wright State and Youngstown State rounded out the poll.

Milwaukee opens the regular season Aug. 27 against Saint Louis at the IPFW Invitational. UWM is actually playing its first six matches against team that won at least 20 contests a season ago.