The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s volleyball team claimed the Horizon League Regular season Championship outright this weekend, with wins over Wright State and Butler.

With the wins, the Panthers (25-2, 15-1) tied the school record for victories as well as extended their winning streak to 11. The Panthers have only lost one match since Aug. 24.

In the Friday night match, the Panthers knocked off Wright State in four games 30-23, 30-24, 27-30 and 30-18. This was in large part because of Leanne Felsing’s 16th triple-double and 21 kills from fellow senior Jamie Gabrielsen.

With that win, the Panthers became the only team in league history to win five-straight regular season titles. The Panthers are now just one win away from breaking the school record for most wins in a season.

Freshman stand-out Natalie Schmitting contributed 15 kills, while Becky Peters lead the charge on defense with 28 digs.

The first game saw 12 ties and five lead changes; however, a five-point run from the Panthers midway through helped them pull away 30-23. A kill by Gabrielsen, followed by a WSU error closed out the game.

Game two was a carbon copy of game one, with the Panthers pulling away late once again. The Panthers broke away from an 18-18 tie on a Kellye Zaporski kill and later used a 5-0 run to take control at 28-22 before a Raider attack error finished the game.

The Raiders were able to extend the match to a fourth game after winning game three. However, in game four the Panthers proved their dominance and took control 25-15. A kill by Nicole Vilter and a block by Peters and Felsing would finish the game and the match.

On Saturday the Panthers made quick work of Bulter, ending the match in three games, 31-29, 30-28, 30-22. Gabrielsen once again lead the team in kills with 15 while Schmitting chipped in 14.

Lauren Felsing lead the team with 17 digs, as the Panthers held the Bulldogs to a .187 hitting percentage. Gabrielsen also added 11 digs to make it six-straight double-doubles.

The Panthers had to rally late in first game after leading early 21-16. Butler rallied to gain the lead 29-27, but the kill by Gabrielsen sparked a 4-0 run to secure the victory.

In the second frame the Panthers trailed late 25-22 after a Jessica Wolfe kill. However, two-straight points for the Panthers would even things out to 27. Butler once again regained the lead at 28-27, but kills by Peters, Schmitting and Gabrielsen gave the Panthers a 2-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs would not see a fourth game as the Panthers broke an 11-11 tie with five-straight points to gain control of the game. The Bulldogs were able to pull within six, but would not get any closer as a Felsing kill ended the match.

The tournament brackets will be set at the conclusion of Saturday’s games. The tournament will be held at the Klotsche Center this year and will start Friday, Nov. 16.

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