MILWAUKEE – On Wednesday, head coach Susie Johnson announced the signing of three student-athletes to their National Letters of Intent and plan to the join the Panther volleyball team for their first season of competition in the fall of 2024.
 
Set to wear the Black and Gold will be Emily Hansen, an outside hitter/right side from Horicon, Wisconsin, Milica Tomic is a setter from Dyer, Indiana, and Gabby Wire from Crystal Lake, Illinois, who is an outside hitter.

"We are really excited about this 2024 class coming in," said Johnson. "They each bring a unique skill set and bring in a level of competitiveness, skill, and heart to the game. I expect them all to bring great things in our program for years to come."

Hansen will be graduating early from Mayville High School this January and plans to begin taking classes at UW-Milwaukee and train with the Panthers through their spring term in anticipation for the fall campaign. Hansen helped lead Mayville to a four-set win over Berlin in the opening round of the WIAA Regional this fall season as the Cardinals finished with 17 wins in 2023.
 
Through her time in high school, she was an All-Conference Honorable Mention in the Flyaway Conference, and was also an A Honorable, and an A-B Honorable for two years. She was also named to the 2023 JVA Watchlist. Most recently, she earned First Team All-Conference honors this season, and was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player as a senior.

"Emily is athletic and quick, and I'm excited to see how her game translates to the Division I level," Johnson said. "She is a multi-position front row player, and we're looking forward to seeing how Emily fits into our program with the tools and skills that she brings to the team."
 
Tomic intends to join the Panthers from Lake Central High School located in St. John, Indiana, where she helped the Indians to a first-round sectional win over Merrillville. Lake Central had 16 wins this season, including 11 victories in Duneland Athletic Conference play.
 
While in high school she received Duneland All-Conference Honors, while also being named an Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association (IHSVCA) 4A North All-District Honoree. Throughout her career, she earned Offensive Player of the Year, AVCA Max Prep Player of the Week, Times of Northwest Indiana (NWI) Athlete of the Week, Crimson Classic All-Tournament Team, and received Rookie of the Year accolades.

"Milica is a skilled setter, who works really hard to be efficient with her setting," said Johnson. "She also comes with a lot of experience with both her high school and club teams running the offense also brings a good hard-working mindset to the team.
 
Wire will make her way to Milwaukee next fall coming from Crystal Lake South High School in Crystal Lake, Illinois. This season the Gators totaled 23 wins including a convincing regional semifinal matchup victory over Freeport during the Illinois High School Association postseason.
 
In one of the most competitive conferences in the State of Illinois, Wire earned numerous accolades and was an All-State Special Mention. She was also a Three-Time All-Area, and a Three-Time All-Conference selection in the Fox Valley Conference. Wire was named to the All-Tournament Team and was also recognized by the Northwest Herald as an Athlete of the Week selection. She was recognized as a Prep Dig Top-25 in the State of Illinois for the Class of 2024.
 
"Gabby is passionate about volleyball, and is a six-rotation outside hitter," noted Johnson. "She works very hard in every skill that she does and makes contact with a lot of power. She is a great passer and defender, so we're excited to bring her to our team."