Tourney Time

Well sports fans, it is time. No, not time to put in the turkey and definitely not time to start rocking out to "Here Comes Santa Claus" in your car alone...or is that just me? I'm talking about conference tournament time! Friday kicks off the Horizon League Volleyball Tournament and we are right here in home sweet home, MKE.

We are currently in first place with a 12-2 conference record, giving us not only hosting rights but also a first round bye into the semifinals. Valpo also received a bye because they are seeded second.

This will be the second time I have been a part of hosting the conference tournament and I gotta say, wow. It is such a great atmosphere walking in to the gym having banners and signs everywhere, just being able to be apart of it. I am sure you will all feel the same when you walk into the gym this weekend (because you will all be there).

A little breakdown for you all. Friday is the quarterfinals, fourth seeded Green Bay kicks off the night by playing fifth seed Youngstown State at 4:30. In conference, these two teams have each beaten each other once, so it should be a good game to watch. Then after that match, third seed Oakland will play sixth seed Cleveland State, and these two teams also have a win under their belt when it comes to playing one another.

We head into Saturday starting at 4:30 pm, when yours truly plays which ever team has the lowest seed coming out of Friday night’s play. Then at 7, Valpo will take on the remaining team. Then Sunday comes, and at 1 the last two teams in the tournament will play for the crown.

A couple shout-outs are clearly in order before we start this weekend. First off, Susie was named HL Coach of the Year for the fifth time in just seven years! Senior Rachel Neuberger was named Horizon League Volleyball Player of the Year, while in addition to her, Julie Kolinski and Kayla Price made the All-League team! And lastly freshman standout Myanna Ruiz got a well-earned position on the All-Freshman team.

The path to a championship is a long, atrocious journey. Along this broken road comes absolutely joy and heartbreak. This weekend the journey concludes for the Horizon League, some will be left wondering what if, for others the long hard hours put in will be well paid off for a trip to the NCAA tournament. The 2013 Horizon League Women's Volleyball Tournament is now. Until next time...

"Just Play Volleyball" Susie Johnson

Saluting A Great Senior

It was a jam-packed weekend full of volleyball here in Milwaukee. A lot of emotions and many tears of joy and unfortunately, some sad. But all together it was a great weekend to be a Panther.

Friday, Valpo came into the gym with some anger behind their eyes. Last time we were matched with Valpo we were in Valparaiso and we beat them three games to none. Valpo came in ready for a battle, and a battle we played. Unfortunately, we could not stop the Crusaders and the came out with a L three games to one. Rachel and Julie lead the team in kills each having 14 or more but our team 36 errors put up a bit of a roadblock for us on the offensive side.

We brushed off the loss and came back into the gym Saturday afternoon ready to play in our last conference home game. A great way to start the game was honoring lone senior Rachel Neuberger, who had 13 kills on the match against UIC and we swept the Flames in three, once more. Neuberger not only grabbed a handful of kills but blocks as well. There was even a play were the ball never came back on the Panthers side because Rachel refused to let it, and after three of four blocks she fearlessly ended the rally with a solo block, and the crowd went wild.

This win over UIC puts us currently at 10-1. We were tied for first place for only about less than 24 hours due to Valpo losing to Green Bay Saturday afternoon, which put us back into first place a game ahead of current number 2 Valpo.

The Panther family met again on Sunday afternoon for the Senior Banquet where Kleenexs were a must. A great celebration filled with season highlights and a hilarious video of Susie mic'd up had the whole restaurant laughing. Some fellow teammates shared meaningful thoughts and stories of their time at Milwaukee with Rachel and then she gave an outstanding speech herself.

Rachel is a great person and athlete. It has been more than a pleasure watching her play the last three years I have been so lucky to be a part of this program. The great news is that this season is far from over, we still have three road matches left, a conference tournament to win, and then a first round NCAA match to win, and I have no doubt in my mind Rachel will help lead the Panthers to many more victories before her time here ends.

Until next time...

"A successful team is a group of many hands but of one mind." -Bill Bethel