YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Behind a solid overall output, the Milwaukee volleyball team topped Youngstown State 3-0 to claim its fourth consecutive sweep and the title of regular season Horizon League Champions.
 
The Panthers (22-8, 16-2 Horizon League) claimed their 14th regular season title and first since 2013. The win also gives the Panthers 300 Horizon League victories, the most by any team since the league's inception.
 
"Our seniors have persevered so much and this group deserves this," head coach Susie Johnson commented. "They have stuck together and learned how to win. I'm so proud of them."
 
"It was not an easy match today. There was a lot on the line but they showed true leadership and mental toughness," Johnson said. "They showed up and played hard. I'm really proud of this team and this staff."
 
The offense was rolling from early on as Milwaukee hit .341 For the match with 38 kills. Carmen Heilemann and Kleja Cerniauskaite paced the way with 10 kills apiece. Cerniauskaite finished without an error (.667 attack percentage) and added five blocks and three digs.
 
"Kleja was so good. She has this calm confidence and it showed in her numbers today," Johnson added.
 
Rylie Vaughn did it all for the Panthers with 27 assists, eight digs, and a pair of blocks.
 
Following a 25-17 set-one win, MKE continued to pour it on with a .385 attack percentage in the second. The Panthers held Youngstown State (6-23, 3-15 Horizon League) to just seven kills in a 25-11 victory.
 
The Penguins pushed early in the third, but a pair of late runs sealed the win. MKE scored the final five points of the match in a 25-15 set-three win.
 
The Panthers' defense was also solid with 45 digs led by Jess Grabowski, who totaled 15. Sarah Schrader added eight in the win.
 
Ari Miller capped an outstanding regular season with eight kills on .583 hitting. Madi Malone added eight kills and six digs in the win.
 
The Panthers clinched the No. 1 seed for the Horizon League Tournament and will host the event on November 19-21. MKE will face the lowest remaining seed at 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 20.
 
Follow along this season with the Panthers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as well as the web at MKEPanthers.com.