YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Milwaukee volleyball team ran into a hot-hitting Youngstown State team, falling 3-1 in Ohio on Saturday afternoon.
 
"Today was a really tough match. Youngstown played really well and at a higher level than they normally play," head coach Susie Johnson said. "Ari Miller being out did effect our team. It was tough to score without her. This was a hard match. We're going to come back, work hard, and prepare for our tough weekend next weekend."
 
Milwaukee and Youngstown State ran out to a 12-12 tie in the first, but the Penguins took control with a 6-0 run fueled by three kills and an ace.
 
A kill from Czhen Beneby cut into the deficit but YSU maintained its distance and earned a 25-17 victory in the first after hitting .359.
 
Set two was tight with four ties and three lead changes but a late run by YSU sealed it. The Penguins rattled off a 7-2 run behind two kills and two aces for a 25-18 victory.
 
Milwaukee bounced back with a win in the third, racking up 20 digs and holding YSU to a .065 attack percentage and eight errors. The Panthers jumped ahead early and never looked back, earning a 25-21 win.
 
Youngstown State found its groove offensively again in the fourth, hitting .366 with 19 kills and four errors as the Panthers played from behind. Kills from Madi Malone and Natalie Schmitz helped MKE push late, but YSU put away four straight points to end it 25-19.
 
Malone led MKE with 19 kills and 11 digs, her eighth double-double of the season. Bri Geurts had a solid match, recording 13 kills and six blocks while hitting .400.
 
Kaley Blake and Josie Johnson combined for 39 assists and 14 digs. Mati Jakscht and Sarah Schrader each had 10 digs for the Panthers.
 
Milwaukee returns home to the Klotsche Center for three straight matches beginning with Northern Kentucky on Friday, October 28.
 
Follow along this season with the Panthers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as well as the web at MKEPanthers.com.