Oct. 22, 1999

Akron, Ohio - The UWM women's volleyball team showed why they are the top team in the region by topping Akron Friday night in a two-hour, 33-minute marathon match. The Panthers won the best-of-five match, 6-15, 15-6, 9-15, 15-11, 20-18, and improve to 18-1 on the season.

Akron took an early lead in the match, dominating game one. However the Panthers maintained composure and took game two.

After a tough game-three loss, UWM battled back with its back against the wall to force a fifth by winning game four.

In game five, UWM led early but the Zips came back to take a 6-2 lead. But the Panthers put together a run and led by three late in the game. The teams fought an emotional battle as they the game was tied at 14. Both teams traded match points until UWM came away with a thrilling 20-18 win.

Ericka Malterer (Sr., OH, Waupaun, Wis.) led the Panthers with 23 kills, while Katie Schneider (Sr., S, West Bend-East) tallied 64 assists and 17 digs to lead the team.

The Panthers face conference-foe Cleveland State tomorrow, trying to move to 7-0 in MCC play.