The Green Bay Phoenix are off to a strong start in Horizon League competition across three sports. On Saturday the women’s volleyball squad defeated Western Illinois 25‑11, 25‑18, 25‑19 at the Kress Events Center, improving the program’s overall record to 7‑4.
Volleyball: a flawless three‑set victory
Diane Pichelman led the attack with 12 kills and an .857 hitting percentage, a career‑high for the senior. Kelsey Justman contributed 10 digs, while Olivia Neumann anchored the front line with seven blocks, the match high. Alexa Hernandez added 34 assists and two service aces. Head coach Abbey Sutherland praised the effort, noting that playing Western Illinois back‑to‑back gave the team valuable experience for the upcoming Horizon League schedule.
“This was a really helpful weekend for us as we prepare for the Horizon League,” Sutherland said. “Diane put together a strong weekend, and Olivia continues to hold down an important foundation with her blocking.” The Phoenix now hold a 10‑7 all‑time edge over the Leathernecks.
Women’s soccer: late‑game heroics secure win
Traveling to DeKalb, Illinois, the women’s soccer team earned a 1‑0 victory over Northern Illinois on an 82nd‑minute strike by Allison Raasch, her first goal of the season. The Phoenix outshot the Huskies 10‑5 and limited them to a single shot in the final ten minutes. Goalkeeper Anna Scott recorded two saves, while Ava Nielsen and Ella Rogowski supplied the assists on the decisive play.
Coach Matt Kagan expressed pride in his squad’s perseverance. “We were persistent and finally broke through on a great set piece,” he said. The win moves Green Bay to a 6‑0‑2 record and places the team atop the Horizon League table.
Men’s soccer: hard‑fought draw on the road
In Cleveland, Ohio, the men’s Phoenix faced top‑ranked Cleveland State and finished 1‑1. Noah Lechelt opened the scoring in the seventh minute after a blocked shot deflected into the net. Cleveland State answered in the 65th minute when Domenic Ruggiero converted a pass from Tom Mertz and Bora Eldem.
Coach John O’Reilly called the result “a good hard‑fought point on the road,” emphasizing the importance of earning points away from home in league play. The draw leaves Green Bay with four points in the Horizon League standings.
Looking ahead
The Phoenix will host Oakland in women’s volleyball on Friday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. CT, followed by a match against Detroit Mercy the next day. The women’s soccer squad returns home for its Horizon League opener on Thursday against Detroit Mercy at 4 p.m. CT. The men’s soccer team will close September with a home game against Robert Morris on Sept. 26 as part of Youth Soccer Day.
These early results underscore Green Bay’s readiness to compete for conference titles and reflect the dedication of student‑athletes, coaches, and supporters throughout the university community.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
