Sept. 10, 2005

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes

MILWAUKEE - Crystal Hudson had 18 kills and tournament most valuable player Jessica Yearout had 18 digs as Alabama claimed a 30-16, 30-27, 30-21 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to claim the championship of the Pepsi Panther Invitational Saturday night.

The Crimson Tide (8-1), the defending SEC West champions, hit .294 for the match while limiting the Panthers (5-4) to a .078 hitting percentage.

Cheryl Hegemann and Rachel Kuebbing had seven kills apiece for UWM, which struggled in games one and three while nearly pulling out game two.

Bridget Fuentez added nine kills and Rachael Green eight for Alabama, which won all three of its matches in the tournament and has won eight-straight since a season-opening loss at Kansas.

"We just didn't have the fight when we needed it," UWM head coach Kathy Litzau said. "On your home floor you just kind of expect it would be there, but we really had to work hard to get any energy tonight. It's disappointing because we played so well against similar teams last weekend (winning three of four road matches)."

The Panthers were never in it during the first game. Alabama jumped to a 9-2 lead and then never let UWM closer than six the rest of the way. In fact, the Crimson Tide kept their lead in double digits most of the game and closed out the frame on back-to-back aces.

UWM fought hard in game two, grabbing the lead at 10-9 on a Kuebbing kill and extending it to 18-15 following a block by Kuebbing and Molly McNab. But Alabama recovered, regaining the lead at 20-19 on a kill by Kelley Potter and eventually extending the advantage to 27-22 on an ace by Amy Pauly. A kill by Monica Ferguson brought UWM back within 28-26 and a kill by Hegemann made it 29-27, but a UWM error rounded out the frame.

In game three, the Tide seized control and never let the Panthers threaten. The lead hit 20-12 following five-straight Alabama points and UWM couldn't recover. A kill by Sarah Snider rounded out the game and match for Alabama.

UWM returns to action next week, traveling to Cincinnati for the Vernon Manor Bearcat Invitational. The Panthers face George Washington Thursday before taking on Jacksonville State and the host Bearcats Friday.

Pepsi Panther Invitational

Final Standings

Alabama 3-0

Northern Iowa 2-1

Milwaukee 1-2

Toledo 0-3

All-Tournament Team

Kate Bean, Toledo

Leanne Felsing, UWM

Laura Rowen, Northern Iowa

Danielle Brazda, Northern Iowa

Crystal Hudson, Alabama

Bridget Fuentez, Alabama

Jessica Yearout, Alabama - MVP