MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Following the conclusion of the regular season, Ari Miller, Carmen Heilemann, and Jess Grabowski of the Milwaukee volleyball team each collected a postseason award as announced by the Horizon League office on Thursday afternoon.
 
Miller's stellar collegiate debut earned her the title of Freshman of the Year and nods on the First Team All-League and All-Freshman Team. The middle blocker totaled 305 kills during the regular season and led the team with a .289 hitting percentage, placing her fourth in the Horizon League. Miller has also recorded 94 blocks, tied for fifth most by a Milwaukee freshman. The Jackson, Wis. native became the first two-time Offensive Player of the Week in the same season since Kerri Schuh in 2011. Miller also becomes the first Panther to receive Freshman of the Year honors since Bridget Wallenberger in 2016.
 
Heilemann was honored with a second straight First Team All-League award after leading the team and ranking sixth in the Horizon League with a career-best 323 kills. Heilemann averaged 2.88 kills per set and hit .273 during the regular season. In 30 matches, Heilemann reached double digit kills 21 times. The junior hit at least .300 in 14 matches this year.
 
With a career-best 570 digs, averaging over 5.0 per set, Grabowski was selected as Honorable Mention All-League. One of the best defensive specialists in the league, the sophomore anchored the defense all year and has already reached 1,000 digs for her career. Additionally, Grabowski ranked second on the team and fifth in the league with 35 service aces. The Greendale, Wis. native has double digit digs in 28 of 30 matches this season including reaching 20 on 13 different occasions. Grabowski earned Nike® Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week three times, the first to earn the honor three times in the same season since Morgan Potter in 2010.
 
After being predicted to finish the season in seventh place, Milwaukee finished the regular season 25-5 overall and 12-4 to earn the No. 2 seed for the Horizon League Tournament. The Panthers hold the best win improvement in the nation, recording 17 more victories than the 2018 season.
 
Following a first-round bye, Milwaukee will face the highest remaining seed in the postseason tournament on Saturday, November 23 at 5:00 pm CT. Links for live stats and live video on ESPN+ can be found on MKEPanthers.com.