Box Score MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Milwaukee volleyball team improved each set but had a hard time getting anything going offensively in Monday's season opener, as it fell to Wright State 3-0 at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers hit just .030 with 23 attack errors in the loss.
 
"We've had some challenges in the past week and today was the first time we were on the court together as a team in two weeks," associate head coach Lindsey Vanden Berg commented. "It was great to be back on the court and to see everyone again. The best thing about tonight is that we get to see them again tomorrow and play again. We need to clean some things up on our side and need to just play better as team tomorrow."
 
Abby Koenen was a source of productiveness for Milwaukee (0-1, 0-1 Horizon League) in the first set as she opened the match with a kill on her way to record five the Panther seven kills in the frame.
 
An early 5-0 run had Wright State in control and each time MKE pulled it close, the Raiders responded as they captured the first 25-18.
 
In the second, the Panthers defense stepped up with 18 digs, holding Wright State (1-0, 1-0 Horizon League) to a .188 attack percentage, but Milwaukee still couldn't find the rhythm, mustering just nine kills.
 
Wright State took advantage of a 9-2 run in the second for a 25-19 victory.
 
Errors continued for Milwaukee in the third as they hit just .030 in the final frame. Still, the Panthers kept it close and fought to tie 19-19.
 
The Raiders responded with back-to-back kills and following a Koenen kill, two more errors ensued to put WSU in front 23-20. A pair of Wright State errors brought Milwaukee back within one but a Raiders' kill and Panthers' service error ended any chance at a comeback.
 
Koenen led the Panthers will 11 kills while Ari Miller totaled seven and Jenna Miller and Carmen Heilemann each added three.
 
Jess Grabowski and Lauren Spaulding led the defense with 14 and 11 digs, respectively. Kaley Blake made her collegiate debut for the Panthers and dished out 12 assists to go with five digs and a service ace.
 
Milwaukee and Wright State will meet again tomorrow at 12:00 pm to close the two-game series. Live coverage can be found on MKEPanthers.com.