HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Milwaukee volleyball team ran into a hot-hitting Northern Kentucky team on Tuesday afternoon and dropped a 3-0 decision on the road.
 
"I do think our team fought hard today," head coach Susie Johnson said. "We had some good moments, but we just need to string those together more consistently. It's been a tough schedule, but we are battling through it. Northern Kentucky is the defending champions and they played like it today."
 
Northern Kentucky (8-3, 7-3 Horizon League) was on fire in the first, putting away 18 kills at a .405 clip to put the Panthers in a 1-0 hole.
 
Abby Koenen and Emma Loveall got Milwaukee rolling in the second, combining for eight early kills as the Panthers doubled up the Norse 16-8.
 
MKE (4-6, 4-6 Horizon League) looked to be in control and in position to tie the match at one but Northern Kentucky began to amount a comeback.
 
The Norse were slowly chipping away before back-to-back kills, an MKE error, and NKU as cut the Milwaukee lead down to two at 20-18.
 
The Panthers got one back on a Norse error, but momentum was with Northern Kentucky as they closed the second on a 7-1 run to go up 2-0 in the match.
 
The two teams battled back-and-forth early in the third but at 11-11, a Milwaukee error and NKU ace put the Norse in front and the home team never trailed again.  
 
The Panthers stuck around and battled to ties late including at 24-24 but a Norse kill and MKE error gave Northern Kentucky the sweep.
 
Koenen totaled 10 kills and nine digs for the Panthers while Ari Miller added nine kills.
 
Mati Jakscht and Jess Grabowski led the defense with 11 and 10 digs, respectively.
 
Milwaukee will return home to the Klotsche Center for a two-game series against Oakland beginning on Monday, March 15 for Senior Night. Live coverage can be found on MKEPanthers.com.