NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) released this season's edition of the preseason coaches poll. The Firebirds were picked second, collecting three first-place votes and 54 points.
Reflecting on a remarkable previous season, Carthage made a significant mark by making their fifth appearance in the CCIW Tournament since 2006. Their efforts culminated in an 18-9 overall record, with a commendable 9-7 performance in tournament matches. The Firebirds also showcased their prowess with a 10-game winning streak during the season. Garnering the No. 3 seed in the CCIW Tournament, they clinched a victory against Illinois Wesleyan in the opening round before facing off against North Park, who were positioned ahead of Carthage in the poll.
Looking ahead to the forthcoming season, the Firebirds embark on their journey with an exciting matchup against Westminster, scheduled as part of the Buzz Ridl Classic in Westminster, Pa., on November 10. The following day, the team will take on Thiel at 4 p.m. EST. The Firebirds last competed in the Buzz Ridl Classic during the 2007-08 campaign.
Carthage's next fixtures will see them venturing north, where they will face off against Ripon on November 15 and Marian (Wis.) on November 18 - both encounters that the Firebirds emerged victorious in the previous year. The Firebirds will then return to Tarble Arena to start a four game home stand with two non-conference games against NCAA Tournament teams Anderson University (Ind.) and national semifinalist Wisconsin-Whitewater. All nine non-conference opponents Carthage takes on this year had a winning record in their conference during the 2022-23 season.
The first conference clash of the season is scheduled for Saturday, December 2, as Carthage faces off against Augustana (Ill.) at 4:15 p.m. Following two additional pivotal conference matchups, Carthage concludes the year with a face-off against IIT on December 15 before embarking on their annual holiday trip to Florida. The Firebirds will engage in spirited battles against Widener and Ursinus on December 20 and 21 as part of the Cruzin' Classic in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In the early days of the new year, Carthage will take to the road for a clash against North Park on January 3, followed by a home showdown against Millikin on January 6. The team's final regular season home game is slated for Wednesday, February 14, against Wheaton (Ill.) at 7 p.m.
