CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Milwaukee volleyball team ran into a tough defensive front in Ohio, falling to Cleveland State 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Panthers (10-18, 9-8 Horizon League) were held to a .161 attack percentage as the Vikings (11-16, 8-8 Horizon League) racked up 14 total blocks.
 
Neither team created too much separation early on as MKE and CSU battled to a 20-20 tie in set one. Out of the Panthers' timeout, the Vikings landed three kills and a service ace to close it out 25-22 and put Milwaukee in a hole.
 
The Panthers ran out to an early 10-6 lead behind a Bri Geurts ace, but Cleveland State responded in the second. The Vikings rattled off a 9-1 run to pull in front 17-12 and cruised from there, setting back MKE 25-16.
 
Milwaukee found an answer in the third set behind five kills from Czhen Beneby, four from Madi Malone, and three from Natalie Schmitz. Tied late at 22-22, Beneby landed a kill and Ari Miller and Schmitz combined for a block to go up two. CSU responded with a kill, but a service error ended it and gave MKE a 25-23 win.
 
In the fourth, Cleveland State used an early 5-1 run to pull in front 13-8 and never relinquished the lead. Trailing 22-16, MKE closed the gap with its own 5-1 run, but back-to-back kills gave the Vikings the win.
 
Malone recorded her 10^th double-double of the season with 14 kills and a career-high 18 digs.
 
Miller also reached double figures with 12 kills and added four blocks and two digs.
 
Kaley Blake and Josie Johnson combined for 45 assists and 15 digs.
 
The Panthers will wrap up the regular season at home on Friday, November 11 against Green Bay.
 
Follow along this season with the Panthers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as well as the web at MKEPanthers.com.