Oct. 27, 2006

Box Score |  Notes

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Cheryl Hegemann had 16 kills and Melissa David added 10 as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee claimed a 30-21, 30-25, 30-24 win over UW-Green Bay Friday night at the Phoenix Sports Center.

The Panthers (17-5, 9-1) have won eight-straight matches and remain alone in first place in the Horizon League. UWM has also won 26 of its last 28 meetings with UWGB.

UWM again posted a strong defensive effort, limiting UW-Green Bay to a .099 hitting percentage while forcing 26 hitting errors. Leanne Felsing had 19 digs while Becky Peters added 17.

Holly Visser led UW-Green Bay (10-13, 4-6) with 11 kills.

"We came into a gym where they had gone 6-2 so far this year and won in three games, so it is hard to complain," UWM head coach Kathy Litzau said. "We were certainly inconsistent at times. We did very well down the stretch in every game and finished well. But, other than the first 15 points of game one, those were really the only other times I felt like we were really in control."

The Panthers used a pair of runs to win the first game going away. UWM scored seven of the first eight points in the frame and eventually led 12-4 after a Green Bay error. The lead was 14-6 before the Phoenix responded, scoring eight of the next nine points to pull within 15-14. But, Milwaukee controlled the game from there. The Panthers scored the next four points to reclaim a 19-14 lead and, after UWGB pulled back to within 22-19, UWM finished the game by scoring eight of the next 10 points. An ace from Felsing and a kill by David helped wrap things up for the Panthers.

UWM needed a late surge to pull out game two. The Panthers trailed most of the way, with the Phoenix jumping out to a 5-2 lead and, after five ties, rebuilding their edge to 19-15. But it was Milwaukee that made the push from there. The Panthers took the lead for good at 23-22 on a UWGB error and then expanded the edge to 24-22 on a Hegemann kill. Green Bay did close back to within 26-25, but UWM responded with the final four points of the game to close things out. The late run included two blocks by Sarah Moore and a kill by David.

Milwaukee then took the lead for good midway through the third game and hung on for the win. A kill by Hegemann gave the Panthers a 13-12 lead, which then grew to 20-15 on a kill by Kelley Olson and a UWGB error. A kill by Moore extended the edge to 23-17 and another Hegemann kill made it 27-20. Two more kills by Hegemann and a final kill by David then wrapped up the game and match for the Panthers.

"Our defense and passing continue to be very good, and I think I almost take it for granted some times," Litzau said. "The defense was doing its part but the offense didn't always keep up. I did think Cheryl had a very good game and Melissa David took good advantage of her opportunities."

The Panthers have a full week off before returning to action next Friday night at home against UIC.