Sept. 20, 2003

Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Trisha Bratford had 17 kills as 22nd-ranked Minnesota won the Diet Coke Classic with a 30-24, 30-24, 30-23 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in front of 2,260 fans Saturday night.

Karen Fruit led the Panthers (10-3) with eight kills and six digs, but UWM could never get on track against the defending Big 10 champion Gophers (7-5). Sarah Potts, who was UWM's representative on the all-tournament team, and Cheryl Hegemann added seven kills apiece for UWM. Robin Alt recorded a team-high seven digs.

Minnesota, which was a unanimous pick to win this year's Big 10 title, hit .248 for the match while limiting the Panthers to a .131 attack percentage.

"Minnesota is certainly a very good team and deserving of a top-20 ranking," UWM head coach Kathy Litzau said. "But I felt like we were given some opportunities to score some points and win a game and we did not take advantage of them."

Minnesota native Lindsey Spoden, playing in her home state for the first time in her collegiate career, had a strong match against the Gophers, hitting .600 with six kills and five digs to go with 23 assists.

"Lindsey was certainly the star of the match for us," Litzau said. "She was very focused and played very well. You could see she was very determined out there."

UWM, which has played 10 of its first 13 matches away from home, opens a four-match homestand Wednesday night by welcoming local rival Marquette to the Klotsche Center. The match tips off at 7 p.m. The Panthers then open Horizon League play Friday against Cleveland State.

"We have been on the road a lot so it will be nice to get home," Litzau said. "We're looking forward to a big crowd and a big match Wednesday night and then the start of league play next weekend."