Marquette University Athletics
Marquette University
Texas Christian University
Marquette Volleyball Knocks Off TCU
11/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 1, 2003
Fort Worth, Texas - The Marquette Volleyball team was extended to five games for the sixth time this season, and for the scond consecutive night, the extra experience proved beneficial. The Golden Eagles, visiting TCU, grinded out their fifth Conference USA victory, bringing their overall record to 8-15 (5-5 in C-USA play). The Horned Frogs dropped their record to 17-10, 3-6 in C-USA.
TCU drew first blood, winning the first game 30-28, behind a team .300 hitting average. However, that would be the most efficient the Horned Frogs played all evening. Marquette stormed back, taking games two and three by scores of 30-24and 30-22, respectively. A dismal .063 hitting average in game four for Marquette allowed TCU to force a decisive fifth game, which the Golden Eagles won 15-11, to even up their C-USA ledger at 5-5.
Leading the way for the Golden Eagles was senior Ann Lopata (18 kills, 7 block assists). Sophomore Theresa Coughlin (17 kills), junior Erin Freer (14 kills, 22 digs) and sophomore Eric Heisser (13 kills, 7 total blocks) added to the offensive mix.
Running Marquette's offense for the second night was junior setter Sarah Vernon, who doled out 56 assists and combined on six blocks. On the defensive side, the Golden Eagle block was out in full force, as they held a decisive 16-10 edge in total team blocks. The serving game also played a role in the Marquette win, as the Golden Eagles held a 9-3 advantage in service aces (led by sophomore Caitie O'Brien's career-best four).
On the TCU side of the net, Dominika Szabo led the Horned Frogs with 21 kills. Ellen Rehme (16 kills), Anna Vaughn (12 kills) and Emily Allen (10 kills) round out the TCU double-figure attackers.
The 5-game victory was MU's third of that length, which balanced the Golden Eagles' record in such matches at 3-3. Marquette returns to action on Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m., when they take on the Bulls of USF.
