Panthers Announce Challenging 2007 ScheduleMay 23, 2007
Printable Release and 2007 Schedule Susie Johnson isn't taking the easy route in her first season as the head volleyball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In fact, Johnson's Panthers will face three teams from the Big East plus squads from the Big Ten and ACC during a challenging 2007 non-league slate. Then, Milwaukee will embark on league play in search of a fifth-straight Horizon League regular season title before hosting the annual Horizon League Tournament. The full 2007 schedule was released today. "It looks like one of the toughest schedules we have faced in recent years," Johnson said. "With five seniors back, it is a good time to have a difficult schedule. Our veteran players all have a good understanding of what we need to do to be a national contender, and they will help the younger players understand that. They realize how every match we play can lead to where you are seeded or if you even get the chance to play in the NCAA Tournament." Johnson will get a very early look at just how well her team stacks up against some of the best competition in the nation when the Panthers open their season Aug. 24 at Wisconsin. The Badgers reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last season and downed UWM at last year's Panther Invitational. "Having Wisconsin as the first match on the schedule will be a challenge," Johnson said. "But, it is a great opportunity to play them again and I know our players are looking forward to playing in Madison." UWM will also face Syracuse and Gardner-Webb during its weekend in Madison before heading to Buffalo, NY, for the Western New York Invitational. Milwaukee then opens its home schedule against a formidable field in the annual Panther Invitational. Virginia Tech of the ACC, Cincinnati from the Big East and Bradley of the Missouri Valley Conference will each play three matches in Milwaukee Sept. 7-8.
UWM's other non-league contests are scattered within Horizon League play, as the Panthers will play at Northern Illinois Sept. 18 and host Marquette Oct. 17. The inclusion of high-level regional rivals on the schedule is important to Johnson. "It's great to get good local competition on our non-league schedule," Johnson said. "Wisconsin, Marquette and Northern Illinois are all very good matches for us to have and they will give us the chance to get noticed in the area." Milwaukee faces a rather unbalanced schedule in league play. The Panthers will play four of their first six league contests on the road before hosting six-straight league matches. Then, after UWM entertains Youngstown State Oct. 20, the Panthers will play four-straight on the road and will not return home until hosting the league tournament Nov. 15-18. "The league just keeps getting better and better," Johnson said. "The addition of Valpo definitely helped the league become even deeper. I am sure since they are used to going to the NCAA Tournament they have no plans to back down in the Horizon League, and they'll add to the list of teams that could compete for the league title this year." The Horizon League Tournament is Nov. 15-18 at the Klotsche Center. With the addition of Valparaiso, the tournament will feature an expanded format. The eighth and ninth-place teams will play a single match Thurs., Nov. 15, with four quarterfinals then set for Fri., Nov. 16. The semifinals will take place Sat. Nov. 17 and the championship match is Sun. Nov. 18. The Panthers will face their schedule with a veteran team despite the loss of four seniors from a year ago. Honorable mention All-American Leanne Felsing leads the returnees, with starters Jamie Gabrielsen and Becky Peters also back. UWM will also look to a number of younger players for contributions, including redshirt freshman Maddie Sueppel and incoming freshmen Sarah Sliva, Natalie Chery and Kerri Schuh. |
