Milwaukee City Wire

Milwaukee Panthers women’s volleyball team faced the Omaha Mavericks for a second consecutive day at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, where the home team secured a three-set victory to improve their record to 2-0.

Omaha’s offense recorded 46 kills and a .347 hitting percentage. Kali Jurgensmeier led with 15 kills, while Ella Tiarks and Faith Venable each contributed 10. Defensively, Omaha collected 45 digs compared to Milwaukee’s 34. For Milwaukee, Kara Erdmann led with 12 digs and Sam Vanda added 11.

"Give credit to Omaha, they are a really good team," said Milwaukee head coach Susie Johnson. "We had some good moments today and had some strong responses to their pressure. It wasn't the outcome that we wanted, but we competed well today."

Milwaukee totaled 36 kills in the match. The Panthers managed only 10 kills in each of the first two sets but improved in the third set with 16 kills and five errors during a closely contested frame that ended 25-21.

Natalie Schmitz led Milwaukee offensively with 10 kills. Annie Eschenbach finished with eight, while Sam Vanda added seven. Josie Noble contributed five kills and delivered two service aces for the Panthers.

Josie Johnson distributed 17 assists and Milica Tomic provided 15 assists; both setters also tallied one ace apiece. On defense, Bella Lipski registered four blocks and Vanda added three.

In the opening set, Omaha won decisively at 25-13. In the second set, Milwaukee came back from an early deficit to lead briefly before Omaha responded with five straight points and eventually took the set, 25-22. The third set saw both teams trade leads until a late run by Omaha secured a 25-21 win and completed the sweep.

The Panthers will play their next three matches at home as part of the upcoming Panther Invitational tournament. Their next contest is scheduled against Iowa State on Friday, September 5 at Klotsche Center.