Sept. 27, 2013

Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Taylor Humm had a double-double with 14 kills and 17 digs as Oakland volleyball lost its debut match in the Horizon League at the hands of Milwaukee in four sets, 21-25, 12-25, 29-27 and 25-17 on Friday night. With the loss, OU is now 6-9, 1-0 while Milwaukee improves to 5-8, 1-0.

"This was not one of our better efforts on the season," said head coach, Rob Beam. "I did not feel that we entered the match with the right mind-set given that UWM is historically one of the strongest programs in the Horizon League. We need to bring a greater level of consistency and emotional readiness to be successful."

Mary Grassano and Melissa Deatsch were also strong defensively for the Golden Grizzlies with 14 and 13 digs respectively. Amanda Baker earned six blocks while Brooke Wadsworth recorded five in the loss. Overall, the Panthers hit .233 including an impressive .438 in the final set while Oakland recorded a .119 hitting percentage for the match.

In the first set, Milwaukee set the tone early by taking the lead and never relinquished it for the duration, securing the set, 25-21. In set two, the two sides were tied at 7-7 but Milwaukee went on a 12-point tear to all but solidify their second-set victory. The Panthers took the two-set advantage by winning set two, 25-12.

Set three would prove to be much closer than the previous and even featured a four-point Oakland lead at 13-9. Milwaukee closed the gap and the teams traded leads a few times before the set went into bonus volleyball. Oakland was victorious in the end off a kill by Baker, a Milwaukee attack error and a final block by Ciara Schultz, taking the match score to 2-1 in favor of Milwaukee.

Set four was another must-win for Oakland and the team had control at 10-8. The Grizzlies relinquished the lead at 13-13 and allowed Milwaukee another extended point streak as the Panthers rang the score up to 20-13. Milwaukee was able to keep the advantage and eventually took the set, 25-17 and the match, 3-1.

Oakland plays again tomorrow in another Horizon League match up against Green Bay at 5 p.m. ET.

#FightOakland