Coughlin's 28 Kills Powers Volleyball Over Wis.-Milwaukee, 3-1

Nov. 1, 2005

MILWAUKEE - On the strength of senior Theresa Coughlin's 28 kills, the Marquette volleyball team ended cross-town rival Wisconsin Milwaukee's 10-match win streak defeating the Panthers tonight at the Klotsche Center, 3-1 (30-25, 25-30, 30-28, 30-24). With the win the Golden Eagles increase their win streak to four matches and improve to 14-10 overall on the season, while the Panthers fall to 17-8 overall on the season.

"It was a great night and always fun to get a win over your city rival," said head coach Pati Rolf. "It wasn't the smoothest game for us, but we fought to get the points. The upperclassmen really came through tonight with big plays at the right moments."

Things heated up between the Panthers and the Golden Eagles as Marquette jumped out to an early lead only to have UWM rally to come with in one point (25-24) of Marquette. A crucial block from sophomore Tiffany Helmbrecht and Coughlin helped the Golden Eagles mount a 5-1 run which lifted them to the 30-25 game one victory. Coughlin hit eight kills to start the night off, while sophomore Jenn Brown and junior Jamie Mueller each contributed four.

Game two picked up right where game one left off, but this time UWM held a six-point lead (17-12), before a kill from BIG EAST Player of the Week Kim Todd ended Marquette's point drought. Marquette came within three points of the Panthers, but UWM held on to the 30-25 game two victory winning the last four of five points. The Panthers capitalized on 14 of the Golden Eagles errors and holding MU to a -1.9 percent attacks percentage in the second game.

After the break, the two teams traded points for most of the third stanza, with neither team holding more than a three-point advantage. The Panthers collected three straight points to lead 19-16, only to have Marquette relinquish the deficit and tie the game at 21 points apiece. A kill by Todd broke the point deadlock, but the two teams continued to trade points until a kill by Mueller put the Golden Eagles within one point of the win (29-27) and another kill by Coughlin gave the game three win to the Golden Eagles, 30-28.

The Golden Eagles clinched the match winning the fourth game, 30-24, behind the attacking of Coughlin and Todd who each tallied six kills in the win. The two teams traded points for much of the game until a kill from Todd sparked a 6-1 Golden Eagle run en route to the victory.

Mueller finished the night with her 11th double double of the season registering 17 kills and a near career-high 26 digs. Todd also notched her third consecutive double double of the season, seventh overall, tallying 15 kills and 14 digs. Collectively Marquette hit 15.6 percent for the match, while the Panthers hit 14.1 percent.

Horizon League Player of the Week led the Milwaukee with 18 kills, while two other Panthers hit in double figures.

"Even though it is a non-conference match, we took this game seriously because it is our city rival, said Coughlin. "This win definitely helps us keep our momentum heading into this weekend against Seton Hall and next weekend against Cincinnati and Louisville."

The Golden Eagles will be back in action when they host BIG EAST Conference foe Seton Hall on senior night, Friday, November 4 at 7 p.m. in the Al McGuire Center.