Oct. 27, 2000

MILWAUKEE - With a first place showdown against Loyola Chicago looming Saturday, the UWM women's volleyball team didn't want to be caught looking ahead.

The Panthers then went out Friday night and made short work of Illinois-Chicago, downing the Flames, 15-8, 15-4, 15-4.

UWM (17-3, 7-1 MCC) remains a game back of Loyola in the MCC standings. The Ramblers (15-7, 8-0) beat UW-Green Bay in three-game Friday night, and visit the Klotsche Center for a 4 p.m. match Saturday.

"It's a very big match," coach Kathy Litzau said. "I'm pretty confident going in, so the team should be, too. We've been playing our best ball the last few weeks."

Friday night, UWM jumped out quickly in each game. In game one, the Panthers built an 8-3 lead, and then put the game away with three final points on UIC attack errors. In game two, UWM broke free of a 2-2 tie by scoring 13 of the next 15 points. In game three, UIC closed to within 10-8, but the Panthers scored the final five points, claiming the final two points on kills by Sarah Potts and Lindsey Spoden.

Potts and Laura Dallenbach led a balance Panther attack with 10 kills, while Spoden added 36 assists. UWM also recorded nine service aces.

"I think we were really on our game tonight," Litzau said. "I think our serving was the best it's been all year, and Lindsey did a wonderful job of distributing the ball."

UWM, ranked seventh in the Midwest Region, has now eight in a row, and 41 of 42 at home.