Box Score

Bridget Wallenberger

Milwaukee UWM 15-13

Oakland OAK 19-12

Milwaukee UWM

15-13

Final

Nov. 18, 2016

Oakland OAK

19-12

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	5	F
Milwaukee UWM	25	22	20	25	8	(2)
Oakland OAK	23	25	25	22	15	(3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | November 18, 2016

Oakland Clips Panthers In League Tournament

Ruiz with season high 32 digs in final game

CLEVELAND – Myanna Ruiz led all players with 32 digs, but Oakland was able to do just enough down the stretch for a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee volleyball team in the Horizon League Tournament Friday from Woodling Gymnasium.

In a heavily defensive matchup between the two teams that squared off exactly one week earlier, things were extremely even throughout before fourth-seeded Oakland (19-12) was able to just pull ahead late for the win, 23-25, 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 15-8.

"It's never fun to lose, but this is what a conference tournament match is supposed to look like," Milwaukee head coach Susie Johnson said. "This was an incredible match. We came out playing really hard. I liked out attitude, effort and focus tonight, Oakland just played a great match.

"Myanna and Bridget were very big for us tonight. Their effort sparked us and I'm proud of the fight and attitude of our entire team, both tonight and this whole season."

As a team, Milwaukee (15-13) finished with 92 digs, with Ruiz leading the way in her final match as a Panther with 32. Kylie Wilks tied her career high with 18 digs, Lexie Uselding tallied a new personal best with 17 and Mykie Olsen returned from injury to add 12.

Horizon League Freshman of the Year Bridget Wallenberger led all players with 19 kills. Caitlin Schultz came off the bench and added 12 kills, while Jess Kalous had 11 and Wilks another nine.

Freshman Jenn Dore finished an outstanding year at setter with 44 assists.

Milwaukee was also strong on the defensive side of the net with 13 blocks. Kalous led the way with seven blocks, Wallenberger added five and Taylor Mansfield had three in her final game in the Black & Gold.

After an incredibly even first four sets, it all came down to the fifth. Oakland started with aces on two of the first three points and never relinquished the lead. Milwaukee fought all the way, drawing the lead to 7-4 and 14-8, but could never get any closer.

UWM took the opener in a set that featured nine ties and one lead change. Milwaukee actually trailed the majority of set one, before breaking through with its first lead at 20-19 on a solo block by Wallenberger. Things remained even to the finish before Kalous put it away with a smashing kill.

Oakland rebounded with wins in the second and third, setting up a do-or-die situation in the fourth. The Panthers responded with a gutsy performance, taking the lead right from the start and fending off every OU threat to force the fifth set.

In the end, the Golden Grizzlies did just enough to squeak past and advance to Saturday's tournament semifinal against host Cleveland State.

Both teams hit .131 for the match and Milwaukee had one more kill than Oakland, 60-59.

The match is the final one for three seniors, who close out solid careers with Milwaukee.

"We owe this senior class a big thank you for putting the team before themselves," Johnson said. "This entire season was an incredible fight. Our team was very young this year, and they really needed to be leaders this year, and we definitely thank them for that and for everything they have done over these years for our program."

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