Sept. 1, 2007

Box Score |  Notes

BUFFALO, NY - Leanne Felsing had a triple-double and three other players reached double figures in kills as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee claimed a 30-23, 30-23, 30-24 win over Binghamton Saturday to wrap up a perfect 3-0 weekend at the Western New York Invitational.

Felsing starred again with 14 kills, 12 digs and 23 assists. Jamie Gabrielsen added 11 kills and 20 digs while freshmen Maddie Sueppel and Natalie Schmitting contributed 10 kills apiece.

The Panthers (5-1) held Binghamton (2-4) to a .046 hitting percentage while forcing 21 errors. Ashley Allen had nine kills to lead the Bearcats.

"I am impressed with how steady we have been under pressure early in the season," UWM head coach Susie Johnson said. "We have been pushed in just about every match but we have consistently pushed back and pulled games out. Many times, especially early in the season, teams might fold under pressure but we have remained calm and pulled away at the end."

The Panthers led game one from start to finish. UWM jumped to a quick 5-2 lead on a Nicole Vilter kill and expanded the edge to 11-6 following a kill by Schmitting. Binghamton eventually pulled to within three at 19-16 but that was as close as the Bearcats would get. Kills by Felsing and Sueppel made it 24-19 and a block by Sueppel and Vilter along with a kill from Vilter pushed the lead to 29-21. A kill by Sarah Sliva finished the game off for the Panthers.

Milwaukee steadily pulled away in the second game to claim control of the match. Binghamton led 15-14 after a UWM error but the Panthers scored the next three points to reclaim a lead they would never give back. The advantage grew to 22-17 on a Gabrielsen kill and was 25-19 after an ace by Felsing. The Bearcats did pull back to within 25-23 but UWM responded with the next five points to wrap up the frame.

Nothing came easy for UWM in the third game as the Panthers led by as many as five points early before the Bearcats rallied to take a 17-16 lead. Binghamton led for a final time at 20-19 but UWM scored five of the next six points to claim a 24-21 advantage. After the Bearcats again closed to within 25-24, the Panthers scored the next five points to close out the match.

"I am really pleased with how our freshmen continue to contribute," Johnson said. "But you have to give credit to our setters for that, too, because they are doing a good job of getting everyone involved."

UWM now heads home for action next weekend in the annual Panther Invitational. Milwaukee will face Virginia Tech and Cincinnati Friday before squaring off with Bradley Saturday.