MILWAUKEE – Bella Lipski had a career-best 11 kills and hit .474 in Milwaukee's three-set loss to the visiting Central Michigan Chippewas on Saturday afternoon on day two of the 2025 Panther Invitational.
 
After dropping the first two sets by identical 25-19 scores, Milwaukee played its best set of the young season in a narrow 28-26 third-set defeat. The Panthers were unable to close it out, as CMU fended off five set-point attempts and erased a 24-21 Milwaukee lead.
 
"This one really hurts today," noted head coach Susie Johnson after the match. "We have been making progress through the first four matches, but it just hasn't been showing up on the scoreboard yet."
 
The Panthers amassed a season-best 49 kills, led by Lipski, with additional contributions from Natalie Schmitz and Sam Vanda, who each recorded nine kills, while Annie Eschbach added six. Josie Johnson notched a season-high 21 assists and was one of five players to record a service ace for the black and gold.
 
"We are a very young team at the net," Johnson added. "Each match continues to help us grow and develop as we get further into the season."
 
The defensive effort fuelded the offensive output, with Kara Erdmann tallying 18 digs and Milica Tomic had nine digs to go along with 11 assists. The Panthers finished with four blocks, including two apiece from Eschenbach, Lipski, and Josie Noble.
 
The Chippewas had a balanced effort throughout the afternoon, recording 45 kills and hitting an efficient.353. Abby Olin had a team-best 10 kills and added five blocks. Izzy Swiercz and Taylor Cripe each contributed nine kills, and Grace Thomas added eight.
 
Central Michigan also held the advantage in aces, 8-5, and outblocked the Panthers by a 7-4 margin. The setting duo of Molly Beatty and Keelyn Muell had 40 of the team's 43 assists, while Alina Anderson led all players with 17 digs.
 
Milwaukee will wrap up the 2025 Panther Invitational on Sunday morning with an 11:00 a.m. start against the Jaguars of South Alabama. Earlier Saturday, Iowa State swept the Jaguars to finish the weekend 3-0, while South Alabama fell to 1-1.