INDIANAPOLIS – On Wednesday afternoon, the Horizon League announced the 2025 volleyball preseason poll, with Milwaukee selected to finish second, just eight points from the top spot.
 
The Panthers received 86 points, including one first-place vote, as they look to build on their 15-3 Horizon League record from 2024. Milwaukee only trailed Wright State, which garnered 94 points including six first-place votes.
 
Milwaukee returns several key contributors from a season ago, including the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and First Team honoree Kara Erdmann. Second team selection Natalie Schmitz is also back for her senior year, while Milica Tomic, a member of the 2024 Horizon League All-Freshman Team, returns as well.
 
This year's roster will include nine returning letterwinners, three transfer student-athletes, and five freshmen.
 
Green Bay finished third in the poll with 80 points and one first place vote, while Cleveland State took home the final two first-place votes and earned 65 points. IU Indy (62 points) and Northern Kentucky (57 points) were projected to claim the final two postseason positions, according to the 10 league coaches.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne received 35 points, while Oakland and Robert Morris tied for eighth with 26 points. Youngstown State rounded out the poll with 19 points.
 
The 2025 season gets underway on Friday evening as the Panthers will visit Baxter Arena in Omaha, Neb. for the first of two matchups against host Omaha. The team's home opener will be on Friday, Sept. 5 against Iowa State, while Horizon League play begins on Sept. 26 at the Klotsche Center with the first of two  matches against Oakland.
 

Place	Team	Points (First Place Votes)
1.	Wright State	94 (6)
2.	Milwaukee	86 (1)
3.	Green Bay	80 (1)
4.	Cleveland State	65 (2)
5.	IU Indy	62
6.	Northern Kentucky	57
7.	Purdue Fort Wayne	35
T8.	Oakland	26
T8.	Robert Morris	26
10.	Youngstown State	19