Marquette Volleyball Performs Well in Spring Season

The Marquette volleyball team continued its spring season with a strong performance at the Palos Courts Spring Challenge in Palos Heights, Ill. Balanced contributions from the returning veterans highlighted the team?s 4-1 mark for the day.

After an opening 2-1 victory over Illinois-Chicago, the Golden Eagles took on Michigan State. Marquette went the distance again, knocking off the Spartans behind Aga Niemczewska?s net play, which saw her control the game in both blocking and attacking. Marquette?s two-win slate won the pool, advancing the Golden Eagles to the Gold Division Pool.

In the top pool, Marquette started off with a tough 0-2 loss to Purdue, before sweeping Valparaiso and Western Michigan to cap the day with a 4-1 record.? Junior Erica Heisser excelled against the Broncos, capping a day that saw her get stronger and stronger as the team got deeper into the tournament.

Those key contributions, combined with solid performances from Golden Eagle standards Erin Freer, Theresa Coughlin and Sarah Vernon, allowed Marquette to have a great showing in the event.

?As a team, everyone made terrific contributions throughout the day,? said Head Coach Pati Rolf. ??Sarah Vernon kept defenses off balance by?mixing her sets,?and attacking when she was in the front row.? Erin Freer made a big impact at the Libero position.? Theresa Coughlin showed why she was named to the C-USA All Conference Team last fall.??

The Golden Eagles are back in action on April 17, when they travel to Champaign, Ill., to compete in Illinois?s spring tournament.