Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
UW-Milwaukee @
EMU Downed by UW-Milwaukee, 3-1
9/5/2008 11:35:43 PM | Volleyball
Eagles stuggle versus Panthers in second match of the Wingate by Wyndham Invitational
EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team was unable to capitalize against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, as the Panthers recorded a 3-1 (16-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-14) decision Friday evening, Sept. 5, in the second match of the Wingate by Wyndham Invitational hosted by Bradley University. The match was played here at the Illinois Central College Gymnasium due to construction of the Braves’ new on-campus facility.
Eastern Michigan falls to 1-4 on the season, while UWM improves to 3-2.
Leading the way for the Eagles was Jennifer Swartz (Canton, Mich.-Westland John Glenn), who hit a team-best .280 and nine kills. Freshman Ashley Mason (East Lake, Ohio-Lake Catholic) finished with 33 sets and six digs, to go along with a .250 hitting percentage on two kills.
For UWM, Becky Peters recorded a team-best 16 kills and a .593 hitting percentage. Maddie Sueppel as finished with 13 kills, five block assists and a .400 attack percentage.
Although they hit .219 in the first set, the Eagles struggled, as each of their points was answered by a Panther point. EMU got on the board via a Jill Wolosiansky (Uniontown, Ohio-Green) kill before an error tied the score at two. UWM scored three more points before a setting error gave the Eagles their next point at 5-3. Eastern pulled back within one at 8-7 on a kill by Hayvolla Leite (Paraiba, Brazil-Indian Hills CC) and stayed close after two kills by Victoria Randolph (Cincinnati, Ohio-Mount Notre Dame), but the Panthers began to pull away, going 14-to-7 over the remaining plays to take set one, 25-16.
The Eagles struggled in set two, hitting just .029. EMU was first to score on an Emily Good (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills) kill. The next few plays went back and forth between the two teams before the Eagles tied the score at six. UWM began 6-to-1 run before the Green and White rallied to within one, 13-12, on a kill by Randolph. However, the Panthers closed on an 8-to3 run to end the set at 25-16.
The Green and White bounced back to take set three 25-19. UMW opened up the scoring in set three, and the Eagles and Panthers scored back and forth for three plays before the Eagles eventually took a 3-2 lead, one in which they would never relinquish. The closest the Panthers would come was within two at the 10-8 mark.
The Panthers dominated final set, 25-14, and hit .333 for the set, compared to the Eagles’ .069.
Head coach Kim Berrington’s crew closes out tournament play Saturday, Sept. 6, versus Bradley. First serve is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CST.
