Oct. 19, 2013

Box Score

  

MILWAUKEE - Rachel Neuberger had 15 kills to lead three players in double figures as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee wrapped up its perfect run through the first half of Horizon League play with a 25-10, 25-23, 25-13 win over Youngstown State Saturday afternoon at the Klotsche Center.

Milwaukee (11-8. 7-0 Horizon) hit a stellar .381 for the match against a Penguin team that entered the contest leading the league in blocks. Julie Kolinske and Sammi Herron added 12 kills apiece as the Panthers committed just 11 hitting errors.

UWM's defense also did its part, limiting the Penguins (12-10, 4-3) to a .124 hitting clip. Milwaukee assembled another dominant stat line, winning the kill-battle, 51-31, while outdigging YSU, 54-34.

Taylor Golabowski had 17 digs to lead the Milwaukee defense, with Neuberger added five blocks up front.

Shannon Watson had 10 kills for YSU, which did win in Green Bay Friday night but could not complete a sweep of its weekend road trip.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee remained unbeaten in league play at the midway point, having collected five of its seven league wins in three sets.

"We were really good today - better than yesterday, a lot better," Milwaukee head coach Susie Johnson said. "We were just more efficient and more precise and in the end made the match a lot easier."

Neuberger continued her stellar weekend play. After tallying 20 kills in the win over Cleveland State Friday, she added 15 more and had just three hitting errors in the two matches.

"She is such a threat and they have to go with her, but even when they go with her it's hard to stop her," Johnson said. "She has a great frame of mind and has great leadership about her right now with this team. It's just really fun to watch."

The Panthers also overcame the absence of freshman Myanna Ruiz, who sprained her ankle late in Friday's match and did not play Saturday. Herron filled in for her up front, while Maddie Schmitz took back-row duties and had seven digs.

"Maddie and Sammi came in as subs for Myanna and they really stepped up and that's what it's all about," Johnson said. "You have your opportunity and you take advantage of it and they completely did so I'm very proud of this team."

Milwaukee was threatened in only one of the three sets Saturday. The Panthers used a 16-3 run to dominate the first set before fighting from behind in the second frame. But a kill from Neuberger followed by a YSU error gave the Panthers the lead for good in set two before a Kolinske kill closed things out. UWM again dominated the third set, closing out the match on a 14-5 run.

The Panthers hit the road for two matches next weekend, playing at Wright State Friday night and Oakland Saturday afternoon.