TEMPE, Ariz. – Josie Johnson became the 10th player in Milwaukee volleyball history to reach 2,000 career assists on Sunday afternoon against No. 8 Arizona State. The Panthers fell the Sun Devils in their non-conference finale in three sets.
 
Entering the day with 1,998 assists to her career ledger, Johnson made quick work to reach the 2,000 assist plateau, with five assists in the opening set.
 
Milwaukee registered just 17 kills against its second top-10 opponent of the season, with four players holding the team lead with three kills apiece. Leading the way were Annie Eschenbach, Bella Lipski, Josie Noble, and Natalie Schmitz.
 
"This non-conference schedule as a whole has prepared us for what is to come in the Horizon League," noted head coach Susie Johnson. "We had tough opponents each time we stepped on the court, and we have learned a lot during this time. We look forward to applying all the lessons we have learned to league play."
 
Milica Tomic and Kati Goba had the team's two service aces, while Goba ended the match with six digs. Kara Erdmann led the way with 11 digs.
 
Milwaukee found success at the net as the team finished the afternoon with nine blocks against Arizona State's 13 hitting errors. Lipski led the way with six blocks, while Eschenbach and Noble added three each.
 
The Sun Devils were led by Bailey Miller with eight kills, while Colby Neal tallied seven kills and six of the team's 10 blocks. Sydney Henry had three of Arizona State's 10 service aces, and libero Faith Frame totaled 11 digs.
 
"It's not often that we can play two top-ten opponents within a few weeks," Johnson added. "Most of our other opponents will be top contenders in their respective conferences."
 
Arizona State had a successful first two sets, winning 25-10 and 25-9. The Sun Devils flexed their muscle with 21 kills and a .362 hitting percentage.
 
The Panthers showed fight in the third set, which featured three lead changes and five tied. ASU led 5-3 before Eschenbach and Lipski combined for a block, followed by another block by Lipski and Carol Herrero to even the score. Milwaukee added two more blocks in a row to take a 7-5 lead and led by four following an ace by Goba.
 
With an 11-6 advantage, Arizona State responded by scoring five straight points to tie it. The Panthers bounced back with three more points on a kill by Noble, and consecutive blocks by Noble and Sam Vanda to regain a three-point edge. Ultimately, the Sun Devils found their footing and closed out the third set, 25-18, to complete the sweep.
 
"This team is united, and we're ready to battle as the season goes on," Johnson concluded.
 
With non-conference play now complete, Milwaukee turns its focus to Horizon League competition with three straight home matches to open the slate. The Panthers will host Oakland at 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 26, and 2:00 p.m. on Sept. 27, before welcoming Green Bay to the Klotsche Center on Sept. 30 at 6:00 p.m.