MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Milwaukee volleyball team used a strong first frame to set the pace as it rolled to a 3-1 victory over UIC on Tuesday evening at the Klotsche Center.
 
"I'm really excited we won that match," head coach Susie Johnson said. "That was a really hard one. That team does not give up and we had to keep pushing back. I'm proud of the team to get out of here in four."
 
Milwaukee reached a couple of milestones in the win with Rylie Vaughn reaching 1,000 digs and Carmen Heilemann surpassing 1,000 kills. Vaughn became just the fifth player in program history to total 2,000 assists and 1,000 digs in her career.
 
"Very remarkable for those two," Johnson continued. "For Carmen, teams are always ready for her, so for her to have that many career kills is impressive. And Rylie has had some adversity recently, but she's come through like a star. She's a gamer so I'm not surprised."
 
The Panthers (13-6, 7-0 Horizon League) were on fire in set one, connecting on 14 kills before their first error to take a 18-10 lead. UIC got two back, but Vaughn served a rally and MKE took a 25-16 win behind a .400 attack percentage.
 
UIC (8-10, 4-2 Horizon League) mounted its response in the second with an early lead. The Panthers fought back to earn their second lead of the set at 20-19 but a Flames kill, and big block won the set 25-21 and evened the match at one.
 
After a slow beginning to the third, MKE took control behind five straight points served from Jess Grabowski. Ari Miller and Madi Malone combined for 11 kills and the Panthers pulled in front with a 25-21 victory.
 
Errors plagued UIC in the fourth set and Milwaukee wasted no time taking advantage, doubling up the Flames 18-9. The Flames clawed back to within four, but Miller and Malone combined for a block to cap the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.
 
Miller finished with a match-high 19 kills on .515 hitting. The junior added four blocks in the win.
 
In addition to Heilemann's 13, Malone added 13 kills while Abby Koenen chipped in seven.
 
Grabowski recorded 16 digs for the Panthers, who racked up 62 as team.
 
The Panthers continue their home stretch on Thursday as they host Robert Morris at 6:00 pm.
 
Follow along this season with the Panthers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as well as the web at MKEPanthers.com.