Nov. 18, 2006
Dayton, Ohio - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee defeated the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 3-1 to advance to the final of the Horizon League Championships. The Panthers will face the University of Illinois at Chicago at 2:30 on the campus of Wright State University.
Senior Cheryl Hegemann finished with 20 kills and nine digs in the match to lead the Panthers. Senior Sarah Moore also had a tremendous day at the net, firing 17 kills with a .500 hitting percentage. A trio of Panthers led the way in the digs category with sophomore Becky Peters (22), junior Leanne Felsing (21) and Lauren Felsing (20) having strong performances.
The Phoenix were led by freshman Holly Visser, as she totaled 17 kills and 12 digs, while hitting .302. Sophomore Abby Bergsma also hit an efficient .348, while pounding 18 kills. Betty Slinger recorded another triple-double for UW-Green Bay with 10 kills, 31 assists and 10 digs.
UW-Milwaukee broke away early in game one, but the Phoenix tied the score at 24, thanks to a block by Abby Bergsma and senior Sarah Rauen. The Panthers went on to take the next six points to put the game away.
The Phoenix were able to come away with a game two win despite giving up a five-point lead late in the set. The two squads went back and forth before two straight kills by Sarah Rauen were enough to give UW-Green Bay the win at 37-35.
The Panthers took the lead early in game three and never relinquished it. UW-Green Bay made a late run, pulling to within five points, but was unable to stop the UW-Milwaukee attack. UW-Milwaukee took game four after making several runs as the Phoenix tried everything they could to pull themselves back into the match.
The 2006 Horizon League Championships will be held Nov. 17-19 at Wright State University's C.J. McLin Gymnasium. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET, with the winner earning the Horizon League's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which will be begin Nov. 30 at campus sites. The 2006 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship will take place at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska, on Dec. 14 and 16.
