Sept. 12, 2003

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Illinois State rallied from a 2-0 deficit to down the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 26-30, 28-30, 30-22, 30-21, 15-13, Friday night on the opening day of the Powerade Panther Invitational.

Karen Fruit led the Panthers with 20 kills, while Sarah Potts added 17 kills and 15 digs. Laura Doornbos had 21 kills and Emily Kabbes 15 to lead the Redbirds (4-4).

The Panthers led, 6-5, in game five following an Illinois State error but would never lead again. Illinois State built a 14-12 edge on a kill by Staci Boyce and, after a kill by Potts made it 14-13, ISU closed out the match on another kill by Boyce.

"Illinois State really came to play and I was very proud of my team for the way they played in games one and two," UWM head coach Kathy Litzau said. "But in game three we were a totally different team and they continued to push. We never recovered."

The Panthers (7-1) hit .450 in the first game and .341 in the second game but struggled from there. UWM hit just .135 in game three and -.021 in game four.

Illinois State, meanwhile, got it done defensively, collecting 14 blocks and outdigging the Panthers, 63-49.

"Illinois State really fought hard being down 2-0," Litzau said. "In game five, even though it got close, they had all of the momentum and all of the confidence."

Larissa Cattanach added 14 kills and Rachel Kuebbing 11 for the Panthers, who also got 13 digs from Robin Alt. Boyce added 13 kills and Ashley Grubb 14 digs for the Redbirds.

In earlier action at the Powerade Panther Invitational, Sacramento State beat Eastern Illinois, 3-0. Illinois State faces Sacramento State to start play Saturday at 11 a.m. while the Panthers will play Eastern Illinois at 1:30 p.m.