Panthers Left Out Of NCAA Tournament
Nov. 25, 2007
MILWAUKEE - A record-setting season by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee volleyball team came to a close Sunday night when the Panthers did not receive an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. Milwaukee (26-3) set a school record for wins and claimed its fifth-straight Horizon League regular-season title. But, the Panthers were upset by Valparaiso in the league tournament semifinals. UWM's only other losses came to NCAA Tournament teams, having fallen to Wisconsin in the first match of the season and to league tournament champion Cleveland State in late September. Around those three losses, UWM ran off streaks of 14-straight and 12-straight victories. "It is definitely frustrating to finish 26-3 and not see your season continue," UWM head coach Susie Johnson said. "It is a lot of wins, but there just weren't enough spots in the tournament. There were some upsets in conference tournaments and some teams got big wins over these final few weekends. No matter how many wins we have, we know it is hard for us to lose in the league tournament and still get a bid. I don't necessarily agree with that, but I know that's how it is." The Panthers have played in six previous NCAA Tournaments and appeared under strong consideration for an at-large bid thanks to their 26 wins, a 4-1 record against teams from BCS conferences and an unofficial RPI index of 47. UWM had previously earned at-large bids in 1999 and 2000, winning 25 matches in 1999 and 23 in 2000. "Getting 26 wins is an awesome accomplishment and not getting a bid can't take that away," Johnson said. "In many ways this was our best season ever and our players deserve a great deal of credit for what they accomplished this season. Our seniors did a great job of leading us and hopefully the younger players learned all of the lessons along the way." In addition to Horizon League Player of the Year Leanne Felsing and all-league performer Jamie Gabrielsen, Nicole Vilter, Breit Nelson and Kelley Olson comprise this season's senior class. The group compiled an 89-26 record in four seasons.
Ironically, UWM is scheduled to play host to three teams at next season's Panther Invitational that received at-large NCAA bids this year, including two that were likely on the bubble with the Panthers. Mississippi (25-7, RPI 26), Iowa State (17-13, RPI 50) and Illinois State (21-11, RPI 64) are scheduled to come to Milwaukee next season. Plus, UWM has agreed to play in a tournament at Michigan State, which also received an at-large bid. |
