Marquette Blocking, Second Set Struggles Doom UWM Panthers

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All athletes can understand the nerves that come with a big game, much less a game against your crosstown rivals in front of an electric crowd. If Milwaukee had any of those nerves, the Panthers handled them poorly as Marquette retained Milwaukee women’s volleyball control with an emphatic 3-0 sweep victory Tuesday night at the Klotsche Center

The match started off competitively, as it was a tale of two styles for the Panthers and Golden Eagles. Blocking was the key for Marquette as they compiled 10 blocks in the set. Sophomores Nele Barber and Autumn Bailey dominated for the Eagles.

Meanwhile, UWM spread out the wealth as four players recorded two or more kills, with junior Maggie Dunbar leading the way with 5. It was tied at 14 all late in the set. However, Marquette pulled away to win 25-20.

Marquette would end up finishing the Panthers off, winning the third set 25-16 to beat Milwaukee for the 7th straight year.

The second set was dominated by UWM’s mistakes on the offensive end. Several wide hits, long serves, and kills into the net allowed Marquette to get out to an early lead. Blocks proved effective yet again for the Golden Eagles as five players finished with two or more. Dunbar finished the set with 8 kills to lead the Panthers, and senior Julia Kolinske followed with seven as Marquette cruised to a 25-12 set win.

Marquette’s momentum continued to the third and final set as the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 10-2 lead. Kolinske recorded her 10th kill of the match to bring the Panthers within 12-8 and brought some life into the dejected UWM crowd. However, another Marquette block on the very next point snuffed any chance of a rally.

Julia Kolinske paced the Panthers, recording 13 kills in the losing effort. Bailey led the Golden Eagles with 12 kills, while sophomore Teal Schnurr recorded 10 blocks.

Even though the Panthers were unable to pull out the win, UWM junior Zachary Hanson said that he gained a new respect for the sport. “It was cool to see just how intense the sport of volleyball is, especially in a setting like there was tonight,” Hanson said. He added, “Even though we couldn’t pull out the win, it’s great to see the UWM community come together and support the team like this.”