It was an intense night Wednesday as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee volleyball team took on Marquette University in a cross-town clash that the Panthers closed out in four games; 30-24, 26-30, 30-28, 30-21.

Leanne Felsing tallied her 12th triple-double of the season with 14 kills, 27 assists and 14 digs and now has 19 career triple-doubles. Jamie Gabrielsen led the Panthers (19-2) with 20 kills and eight digs on the night, reaching double figures for the 20th time this season, while Natalie Schmitting contributed with 10 kills.

"Leanne and Jamie really carried us offensively in those first two games but Kellye, Natalie, Maddie, Becky - they all stepped up for us. And, we continue to get great defense from Lauren,” said Panther head coach Susie Johnson.

It was fairly even at the start of the first game as the teams combined for eight ties and six lead changes. Points were back-and-forth throughout the match until the Panthers, after breaking the tie 15-14, went out to a 25-19 lead. The Golden Eagles (8-9) were able to mount a comeback cutting the lead down to three, 25-22, but were not able to hold off the charging Panthers as UWM took the six point win, 30-24.

“I think really important for our team, in general, to start out early because we have a pattern in the middle of games [to let up] when they score too many points in a row,” said Johnson.

At the start of the second game, the Panthers went down to an early 1-3 deficit and could not break the Golden Eagle lead, going down by as much as seven at one point. UWM had plenty of attempts at a comeback, pulling to within three at 28-25, but could not get the momentum on their side after a timeout, losing the game 30-26.

After a short-lived comeback in game two, the Panthers again went down early in game three before climbing back to a tie at six. There were nine ties in the third game, the last coming at 28-28 before back-to-back Marquette errors allowed UWM to take the match lead, 2-1.

“Our team was excited to win that game, it was close and we won. [The momentum] was really important,” said Johnson.

The energy that the Panthers had coming out of game three would allow them to plow out to an early five point lead in the fourth game. After being down by 11, Marquette pulled to within four before a Panther timeout was called.

“I just didn’t want them to get to many points in a row, and that’s one of our downfalls right now,” said Johnson. “I just wanted to tell everyone to relax and play, and I gave them some key things so they don’t stress too much, because that’s what happens, they over think and they just need to play and be a team.”

UWM used the break to their advantage and allowed only four Marquette points after the timeout to end the game, winning the match 30-21.

The Panthers have won 19 of their last 20 matches and seven of their last nine versus Marquette, as well as winning their last three matches against Big East opponents.

After their last two home games this weekend, the Panthers will end the season on a five-game road trip before the Horizon League Tournament, which will be held at Klotsche Center starting Nov. 15.

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