MILWAUKEE - Four players recorded double-figures in kills and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee volleyball team posted a season-high 15 blocks to highlight a 25-18, 27-29, 25-19, 25-18 victory over UIC Friday night at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers (6-8, 1-0 Horizon League) hit .301 for the night and kept a steady lead over the Flames (6-10, 0-1 Horizon League) in all three sets in which they claimed victories in the 3-1 decision.

"It was a really good win and it was a really good team effort," Milwaukee head coach Susie Johnson said. "I was really proud of the entire team. UIC definitely fought back - I knew they would, they are a good team. We had to continually push back because it wasn't an easy match and we were able to stay in control, stay calm and push through."

Junior Maggie Dunbar finished one kill away from a career-high, leading the way with 16 on a stellar .517 hitting percentage (1 error/29 attacks).

Sophomore Myanna Ruiz had a double-double of 15 kills and 33 assists, senior Julie Kolinske recorded 14 and senior Hannah Blanchard rounded out the list of double-figure kills with 11. Junior Nicole Latzig also got in on the action with eight kills on a career-best .583 hitting percentage.

"Myanna is doing a good job of balancing our lineup and our offense and she is taking on a really important role," Johnson said. "I am excited that she is coming through."

Senior Taylor Golabowski had a four-set season-high 20 digs while adding four service aces. Sophomore Kaisa Mattson paced the effort at the net with a career-high 10 blocks.
 
Reigning Horizon League Player of the Week Stephenee Yancy led the Flames with 16 kills.The Panthers took the fourth and deciding set comfortably, opening up a 15-10 advantage after trailing early. UIC got no closer than five points down the stretch.

In the third, Milwaukee jumped out to a 10-2 lead and still held a 19-11 advantage before the Flames rallied. A kill by Ruiz stopped the momentum at 24-17 and a block by Blanchard and Mattson closed it out.

UIC used a 10-5 run to help it claim the second set. That stretch tied it at 20-20 and the Flames would not go away. The Panthers held a pair of set points but could not get over the hump in falling, 29-27.

Down, 4-1, early in the first, UWM had it tied at 5-5 and eventually battled its way to a 15-13 edge. A Latzig kill made it 16-13 and a service ace from sophomore Maddie Schmitz forced a UIC timeout. The Panthers closed it out from there.

The second half of the conference weekend starts tomorrow at 4 p.m., as UWM welcomes a red-hot Valparaiso team that improved to 14-1 on the season with a 3-0 sweep of Green Bay Friday night.