Milwaukee City Wire

In the opening match of the 2024 'Chicago Cup', the Milwaukee Panthers were defeated by DePaul Blue Demons in a three-set match held on Thursday evening. The host team, DePaul, secured victory with set scores of 25-19, 25-18, and 25-21.

Milwaukee's performance was limited to 20 total kills with a hitting percentage of .113, while DePaul achieved 43 kills and a .347 hitting percentage. The Blue Demons also led with an 8-1 advantage in blocks and a 51-33 lead in digs, committing only ten attacking errors compared to Milwaukee's twenty.

"Give credit to DePaul, they kept us out of rhythm all night," stated head coach Susie Johnson. "We had a difficult time getting anything going offensively or defensively."

DePaul's Jill Pressly contributed significantly with 13 kills and nine digs. Amanda Saeger provided 20 assists, while Rachel Krasowski added another 15 assists and recorded a double-double with a team-high of 20 digs. Aly Kindelberger finished with five blocks for the Blue Demons.

Despite trailing early in the first set, Milwaukee managed to level the score at six after a strong service rally by Lakyn Graves. However, they fell behind again and eventually lost the set at 25-19 after failing to maintain momentum.

The second set began evenly through the first eighteen points until DePaul pulled ahead with a decisive run that ended the set at 25-18.

In the third set, both teams were tied at thirteen before Milwaukee briefly took the lead at sixteen to thirteen. Yet again, DePaul overcame this deficit and closed out the match by scoring five consecutive points for a final score of 25-21.

For Milwaukee, Madi Malone and Rachel Scott each tallied seven kills. Bri Geurts and Natalie Schmitz added six kills apiece. Milica Tomic contributed fourteen assists while Josie Johnson added twelve more. Tomic, Johnson, Kati Goba, and Kara Erdmann each served one ace during the match.

Erdmann led Milwaukee defensively with twelve digs as Graves made their only block of the game.

The Panthers are scheduled to return to McGrath-Phillips Arena on Saturday afternoon for their next match against UIC Flames starting at 3:00 p.m.