Valparaiso defeats No. 1 seed Milwaukee to advance to the Horizon League Volleyball Championship Final

Nov. 17, 2007

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Valparaiso University Crusaders defeated the No. 1 seed University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers 3-1 (30-25, 30-17, 22-30, 30-26) in the second semifinal match of the 2007 Horizon League Volleyball Championship on Saturday at the Klotsche Center. Valpo will meet Cleveland State University in the championship final at noon CT on Sunday.

Valparaiso had four players reached double figures led by sophomore Angie Porche's match-high 19 terminations. Porche also scored the final two points of the match.

Junior Brittany Malicoat led the way defensively as she tallied a match-high 28 digs to became the first Valpo player ever to record 700 digs in a single season. Freshman Katie Layman also chipped in defensively for the Crusaders as she totaled a career-high eight blocks.

Milwaukee senior Leanne Felsing tallied her 18th triple-double as she collected 15 kills, 29 assists and 10 digs. Felsing was one of three UWM players, who posted double figure kill totals.

In game one, Milwaukee took an early lead, which it would maintain through the first half of the set as the Panthers extended their advantage to as many as six points. With the lead at 16-11, senior Tiffany Meikle registered a kill and then served five consecutive points to give Valpo a 17-16 lead, but the Panthers responded to tie the frame at 17 apiece. From that point, Valpo would go on to claim 14 of the last 21 points to win the opening game 30-25.

In game two, Valpo did not trail for the entire game as it came out of the gate fast to take a 12-5 lead. The Crusaders would not look back as they led by as many as 17 points to post a 30-17 victory in the second frame. Valparaiso hit .421 with 19 kills in the set while limiting the Panthers to a .049 clip.

In the third game, Milwaukee gained an 8-2 lead early and went on to the victory to send the match to a fourth frame.

The Crusaders never trailed in the final game as they led by as many as nine points. Porche had nine kills in the final set to help Valpo to a 30-26 triumph.

For more information regarding the 2007 Horizon League Volleyball Championship, check out the volleyball championship central page at www.horizonleague.org.