Sept. 12, 2009

Box Score

MILWAUKEE - Leslie Bielski had 15 kills and Marquette survived a school-record blocking effort from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to claim a 22-25, 29-27, 32-30, 25-21 win Saturday afternoon on day two of the Panther Invitational at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers tallied 23 total blocks - a UWM record for a four-set match - while junior Maddie Sueppel was a part of 19 of those blocks, setting an individual school mark.

But, Marquette pulled out nail-biting wins in the second and third sets to help hang on for its ninth win in 10 outings this season. In fact, UWM had seven set-point chances between the two frames, only to see the Golden Eagles pull out the win each time.

Sueppel had 19 kills and hit .500 to go with her 19 blocks in easily her best overall effort as a collegiate player. Jena Berg added 11 kills while Melissa Jansen and Mackenzie Millis contributed to the Panthers' defensive effort with six blocks apiece.

The two teams split the first two sets, with each side using a comeback to capture a win. In the first set, Marquette built an early 12-5 lead and still led 21-18 after a kill by Holly Mertens. But the Panthers (2-7) responded by scoring seven of the final eight points in the frame, highlighted by two kills and two blocks by Sueppel.

In set two, the Panthers built a quick 11-6 lead and still led 21-16 on a kill by Natalie Schmitting. But, Marquette eventually tied the set at 23 on two-straight aces by Bielski. The Panthers then had three set-point chances but could not convert, with MU eventually squaring the match on kills from Ashley Beyer and Mertens along with a UWM error.

Game three was a thriller, as UWM staged a huge comeback but then could not complete the win. The Panthers trailed 12-6 in the early going and were still down 24-20 before surging. In fact, sparked by the serving of Mary Beth O'Brien, Milwaukee scored five in a row to claim a 25-24 advantage. In all, UWM had four set-point chances before MU converted on its third to take the lead in the match.

Marquette then made an early surge in the fourth set and never gave the lead back. The Golden Eagles scored six of the first seven points in the set and eventually led 15-7. Milwaukee pulled back within 16-13 on a kill by Jansen and was still within 23-20 on a block by Jansen and Sueppel. But, a UWM error pushed Marquette to match point and, after one more Panther point, another UWM error sealed the match for the Golden Eagles.

In action earlier Saturday, Ohio State held off a gallant come-from-behind effort by Western Michigan to claim a 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 16-25, 15-11 win. Katie Dull had 25 kills to lead the Buckeyes (7-1).

The final session of the Panther Invitational begins at 5 p.m. with Western Michigan taking on South Dakota. UWM then faces Ohio State in the tournament finale at 7:30 p.m.