Marquette University Athletics
Marquette Volleyball Rolls on for Fifth Straight
11/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Golden Eagles Win One for Seniors Greer and Lopata
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- On a night designated to honor the Marquette Volleyball Team's seniors Gemma Greer and Ann Lopata, the tandem did not disappoint. Behind Lopata's 16 kills and Greer's 54 assists, the Golden Eagles dispatched UAB in four games (30-19, 25-30, 30-25, 30-24) to bolster their record at 10-15, 7-5 in C-USA. The Blazers dropped to 14-15, 6-5 in C-USA.
In game one, Marquette was led by Lopata's five kills on six attempts (an .833 hitting average). Sophomore Theresa Coughlin also got into the action, carding three of her team-high 17 kills in game one. However, Gemma Greer stole the show, running off four service aces in game one alone. That mark tied her for the best serving match of her career. For Head Coach Pati Rolf, Greer's contributions came from all angles. "Gemma had a great offensive setting night, and did a great job distributing the ball throughout the offense," said Rolf following the match. On the other side of the net in game one, the Blazers had trouble finding thier rhythm, hitting a paltry .029 for the game.
The Blazers would rebound in game two, as they converted 35 attacks for 16 kills and only three errors, good for a .371 average. Leading the way for the Blazers were senior sensation Martina Shields (eight kills, no errors on 13 attempts) and Breanna Swenson (four kills, .500 average). Lopata and Coughlin kept the Golden Eagles in the game, with five kills each, but in the end, the 3-1 UAB advantage in total blocks proved too much, as the Blazers took game two.
Marquette responded well to being knotted back up at one game each. The Golden Eagles pounded their way to a 30-25 game three win with their best hitting game of the night (14 kills and 4 errors on 32 attacks). UAB mistakes played a role in game three as well. The Blazers succumbed to 10 attack errors and four service errors in the game, allowing Marquette to regain a 2-1 advantage in game three.
The Golden Eagles would struggle in game four to put the match away, but junior Erin Freer came up with big play after big play, taking seven kills on 15 attempts, and tossing in two blocks for the fourth frame. Coughlin added five more kills, and the Golden Eagles were able to walk away with their fifth consecutive victory (the longest win streak since a five-game streak in 2001). While the four-game win didn't match the offensive firepower or intensity of Friday's five-game marathon against USF, Rolf found confidence in her team's ability to grind out a hard-fought conference win, noting, "We couldn't get back to the quality of game we had yesterday and the attitude, put they worked hard and were disciplined in their play and we're very pleased with their effort."
Marquette is back in action Tuesday night, as they host intrastate rival Wis.-Green Bay at 7 p.m. at the Marquette Gym.
