Oct. 5, 1999

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee volleyball team travels to Chicago this weekend in what may be its toughest conference road trip of the season when it faces two unbeaten conference opponents, UIC and Loyola. The Panthers (13-1, 2-0 in the MCC) take on UIC (10-7, 3-0 in the MCC) on Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m., and Loyola (9-4, 3-0 in the MCC) on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. The Panthers are coming off a 3-0 win last week over UW-Green Bay, while the Flames are coming off 3-1 win over Cleveland State and the Ramblers are coming off a 3-2 win over Cleveland State.

UWM Ranked No. 1 in District 6

UWM was ranked No. 1 in District 6 in the first American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) official district rankings released today. District 6 includes the MCC, Conference USA, Ohio Valley, and the SWAC conference schools. The rankings fall as follows: 1. UW-Milwaukee, 2. Houston, 3. Cincinnati, 4. St. Louis, 5. Austin Peay, 6. Marquette, 7. Southeast Missouri State, 8. Loyola, 9. UIC, 10. Eastern Illinois.

A Look at the UIC Flames (10-7 overall, 3-0 in the MCC)

Don August notched career victory No. 350 on Saturday as the Flames downed Cleveland State in four games, 15-12, 15-8, 7-15, 15-11. The win also moved UIC to 10-7 overall and 3-0 in the MCC. The Flames have now won 10 of their last 13 games and are 3-0 in conference play for the first time since 1990.

Junior Jackie Utz paced the UIC victory, finishing the night with a season-high 23 kills and 13 digs. It was the second straight game Utz had reached the 20-plus kill plateau. The Flames also received strong support on Saturday from Kelly Colangelo (14 kills, 12 digs, 4 blocks) and Jill Greer (12 kills, 13 digs, 8 blocks).

Statistically, the Flames are just behind the Panthers in most categories, averaging a .220 team hitting percentage, 15.97 kpg, 14.43 apg, and 1.74 sapg. They are ahead of the Panthers in blocking and digs, averaging 2.44 bpg, and 17.41 dpg.

Individually, the flames are led by Jill Greer averaging a .328 hitting percentage and Kelly Colangelo, averaging 3.81 kpg. Erica Anderson is averaging 12.94 dpg, while Ann Hintz is averaging 0.42 sapg and Lynn Clarkson and Greer lead the team in blocks, averaging 1.15 and 1.07 bpg respectively.

August’s squad travels to Charleston, Ill., tonight for a non-conference match-up with Eastern Illinois, before heading home Friday for its match against UW-Milwaukee, followed up with a Saturday afternoon match against UW-Green Bay.

A Look at the Loyola Ramblers (9-4 overall, 3-0 in the MCC)

Loyola stayed perfect in conference play after posting a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Cleveland State at Woodling Gymnasium on Friday night. With the victory, the Ramblers improved to 3-0 in conference play, their best start in the MCC since the 1992 squad ran off six straight to start league play.

Loyola has now won four straight. Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Poglits posted a career-high 29 kills against the Vikings on Friday night.

Statistically, the Ramblers only top the Panthers in blocks per game with a league-leading 2.49 bpg. They trail the Panthers in all other categories, averaging a .238 team hitting percentage, 14.36 kpg, 13.42 apg, 1.88 sapg, and 13.76 dpg.

Individually for Loyola, Sarah Poglits leads the team on offense, averaging 3.96 kpg with a .299 hitting percentage. Renee Nash leads the team with 12.18 apg and leads the conference in aces, averaging 0.49 sapg. Julie Wiejak leads the team in blocks, averaging 1.27 bpg.

The Ramblers return home this weekend to open a four-match homestand on Friday night (Oct. 8) against UW-Green Bay, before hosting UW-Milwaukee on Saturday afternoon.

UWM in the NCAA Stats

Senior Katie Schneider (West Bend, Wis., East) has moved up to third in the NCAA’s national Division I assists statistics, averaging 14.51 apg.

As a team, the Panthers also moved up in several categories after finishing last week with wins over Illinois State and Cleveland State, ending the week with a 12-1 record. The team is eighth in the national statistics in team hitting percentage (.291), eighth in team kills (17.51), fifth in team assists (15.96), and eighth in win-loss ratio (.923).

The Panthers in the MCC

UWM continues to dominate the MCC top 10 lists for this week, earning the top spot as a team in team hitting percentage (.290), kills (17.17 kpg), assists (15.69 apg), and service aces (1.94 sapg). They are tied for fifth in blocks (1.71 bpg) and are third in digs (16.23 dpg).

Individually, a Panther is the top player in hitting percentage (Ericka Malterer, .337), kills (Ericka Malterer, 3.98), and assists (Katie Schneider, 14.15).