Bouncing back from three straight losses is tough for any team to do, no matter the sport.

So when the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s volleyball team had lost three straight, morale was low.

It turned out this past weekend was a godsend, as the women not only ended the streak, but began a new, positive one with consecutive victories over Horizon League rivals Wright State and Butler.

The new streak began Friday night, as UWM took only four games to beat Wright State. The first game of the match was a loss, as the women dropped a 30-22 decision. They followed that up with dominating triumphs of 30-12, 30-23, and 30-20.

Rachel Kuebbing dropped 13 kills on Wright State to lead UWM, who also got 12 kills each from Melissa David and Leanne Felsing. Rounding out the top for kills was Sarah Moore, who had 11. Leanne Felsing led with 12 digs, and Becky Peters followed with 11.

The second match, Saturday afternoon against Butler, was much more convincing. UWM limited the Butler Bulldogs to only one game with over 20 points, with UWM winning 30-19, 30-26 and 30-19 in straight sets.

Freshman Becky Peters was on a defensive rampage, leading the team with 21 digs, and Leanne Felsing had her second double-double of the weekend with 10 digs and 16 kills.

Melissa David contributed 14 kills, followed by Sarah Moore and Rachel Kuebbing, who had nine and eight, respectively.

The Panthers (9-7, 2-2 Horizon) return to action next weekend, when they play Cleveland State (9-5, 2-1 Horizon) at 7 p.m. in the Klotsche Center.

They follow that up with a match against Youngstown State (7-8, 0-3 Horizon) at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

> Comments