MILWAUKEE, Wis. – An early lead in each set was key for the Milwaukee volleyball as it carried that to a 3-0 sweep of Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Panthers matched a season-high with 11 blocks and held the Colonials to a .038 attack percentage through the first two sets.
 
"I thought Robert Morris came out to play really hard today and really forced us to earn our points," head coach Susie Johnson commented. "Our blocking was particularly good. Another good win – we're happy to have it before we are on the road again next week."
 
Milwaukee (4-10, 3-0 Horizon League) could not have asked for a better start to the match, rolling ahead 7-0 before RMU got on the board. The Colonials bounced back, however, to tie it 14-14, but then Ari Miller and Madi Malone combined with three kills and MKE too advantage of some errors to snag a 25-23 victory.
 
Another big lead to start the second as the defense came out strong. The Panthers totaled seven blocks in the frame and forced 11 Robert Morris (7-8, 0-3 Horizon League) errors. Miller and Natalie Schmitz recorded three kills apiece in a 25-15 win.
 
The offense was cruising in the third set as four different Panthers put down multiple kills for a 10-4 advantage. Another quick run had Milwaukee up eight before Robert Morris stormed late.
 
Bri Geurts put away a kill to make it 22-15, but Robert Morris rattled off seven straight points to tie it at 22. Czhen Beneby and Geurts finally ended the run with kills and after an RMU slam, Beneby capped the sweep with another kill.
 
Miller put away 11 kills in 16 swings to lead MKE and added six blocks on the defensive end.
 
Sarah Schrader led the back line with 11 digs while Malone added 10 digs, six kills, and three blocks.
 
Kaley Blake served up 22 assists and added eight digs in the win.
 
Milwaukee will next hit the road for three straight matches beginning with IUPUI on Tuesday, September 27.
 
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