MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Behind 39 kills from Ari Miller and Carmen Heilemann, the Milwaukee volleyball team knocked off Northern Kentucky 3-1 at home on Thursday evening.
 
"Ari and Carmen are so confident every time they go up to swing and they have great approaches," head coach Susie Johnson commented. "When we can set them that means we are passing the ball well and digging the ball up where we need to. It is awesome that our back row is able to do that and that Rylie can get them the ball."
 
Milwaukee (9-6, 3-0 Horizon League) limited errors in the final two frames, hitting .456 with 28 kills to seal the victory against the Norse.
 
Rylie Vaughn facilitated the offense with her fourth career 20-20 match of 48 assists and 21 digs.
 
The Panthers got out to a red-hot start in the first set, doubling up the Norse 10-5 thanks to some NKU miscues. From there, Vaughn fed Heilemann, who put away seven kills in nine swings to lead MKE to a 25-21 set-one win.
 
Northern Kentucky (5-6, 1-1 Horizon League) responded in the second as the Panthers totaled 11 errors, but Milwaukee responded in impressive fashion. The Panthers recorded a line of 15-0-32 (.469) and left no doubt in a 25-12 victory. MKE turned an 11-2 advantage into 16-4 and never looked back in the win.
 
In the fourth, Miller took over with five kills in seven swings. Milwaukee never trailed in the set and built the lead to 15-7 after Heilemann found the floor.
 
The Norse pulled within six on multiple occasions, but a pair of late kills from Miller and NKU errors sealed the 25-17 win.
 
Heilemann put away a season-high 20 kills, hitting .389 while Miller totaled 19 kills with a .600 attack percentage.
 
The Panthers' defense was stout with Vaughn (21 digs) and Madi Malone (12) leading the way. Malone added 11 kills for the Panthers, her sixth double-double this season.
 
Milwaukee will remain at home tomorrow night as it welcomes preseason favorite Wright State in a 6:00 pm contest.
 
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