Box Score MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Bradley had a season-opening, five-match win streak snapped Saturday in BU's final contest at the Panther Invitational, falling to 2011 NCAA Tournament participant Western Michigan Saturday afternoon. The Broncos won in straight sets 25-16, 25-12, 25-22.
The loss snapped the Braves' longest win streak (five matches) since 2005. Despite the setback, Bradley (5-1 overall) is off to its best start to a season through six matches since opening the 2000 season with a 6-1 record. Juniors Alise Tupuritis (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West) and Lauren Zerante (Elmhurst, Ill./York) were both named to the Panther Invitational all-tournament team.
Bradley hit .033 in the loss to Western Michigan (4-2 overall) with the Broncos owning a 65-42 advantage in digs in addition to boasting a .292 attack percentage.
Western Michigan held an 18-14 lead in the first set after an Allie Falter (Lincoln, Neb./Pius X) kill, but the Broncos answered with five consecutive points and scored seven of the final nine points of the frame to take the opener 25-16.
WMU's Ali Gossen notched six of her nine kills in the second set to help highlight a 25-12 second set victory for the Broncos. Gossen tallied three kills during a 12-4 Western Michigan run to close out the set.
The Braves trailed 15-10 in the third set, before using a 6-1 spurt to pull even at 16-16. The Broncos answered with four consecutive points and Bradley got no closer than two points down the stretch as Western Michigan completed the sweep with a 25-22 win.
Senior Madelyn Ervin (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) led Bradley with nine kills, while sophomore Courtney Keefe (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) matched a season-high with 14 digs in the loss. Zerante made her first career start at setter, collecting two kills, 21 assists and eight digs.
Bradley looks to get back in the win column Tuesday at Renaissance Coliseum, hosting Saint Louis at 7 p.m. in the Braves' home opener.