FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Behind a season-best .367 attack percentage and late runs in the first and third sets, the Milwaukee volleyball team earned a 3-0 sweep of Purdue Fort Wayne on Tuesday night.
 
"We came to fight today. It was our first conference match, and we were super competitive," head coach Susie Johnson said. "It was a great team effort. Lots of strong stats from a lot of people on this team, but a team effort."
 
Purdue Fort Wayne (4-8, 0-1 Horizon League) put the pressure on early and pulled in front 24-20, but the Panthers never gave up. MKE found Ari Miller for kills on three of the next five points for its first lead since 4-3.
 
The Mastodons pushed back and had another chance to take the first, but after a kill from Madi Malone, Miller and Maddie Moan combined to a block to go up 28-27. On the ensuing possession, PFW faltered on the set and MKE stole the first frame 29-27.
 
It was all MKE (2-10, 1-0 Horizon League) in the second as the Panthers ran in front 5-1 and never looked back. The Panthers hit .657 and recorded five blocks as they rolled to a 25-13 victory.
 
The two teams traded blows in the third before PFW took control 16-14 thanks to a 6-1 run. The lead reached three before the Panthers found their groove again.
 
After a Mastodons' error, Kaley Blake served seven straight points to put MKE up 23-18. PFW got two kills from Iris Riegel, but two errors ended the set as the Panthers earned a sweep. All said and done, the Panthers finished the frame on a 10-2 run to secure the win.
 
Miller led the Panthers with 15 kills, hitting .440 while Malone and Natalie Schmitz added nine kills apiece. Bri Geurts had four kills in eight swings to go with four blocks.
 
Blake and Josie Johnson combined for 36 assists and 13 digs.
 
The Panthers next head home for the weekend, hosting Youngstown State on Friday at 6:00 pm and Robert Morris on Saturday at 4:00 pm.
 
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