Volleyball Bounces Back; Downs Connecticut, 3-1

Oct. 23, 2005

STORRS, Conn. - Led by junior Jamie Mueller and sophomore Kim Todd who registered 16 and 14 kills, respectively, the Marquette volleyball team earned its first BIG EAST win in four matches this afternoon defeating Connecticut, 3-1, at the Gampel Pavilion. With the win, head coach Pati Rolf earned her 60th win at Marquette and her 370th career win. The Golden Eagles return to Milwaukee, 11-10, 4-5 BIG EAST, while the Huskies fall to 10-12, 2-6 BIG EAST.

"We had a strong overall team effort today," said Rolf. "The players did a great job of stepping it up when thing got tough. I was especially impressed by the performances of Jamie (Mueller), Jenn Brown and Monica Renfrow. We continue to improve and are keeping ourselves alive in getting a berth in the conference tournament."

The Golden Eagles stormed out of the gates and claimed game one, 30-21. Marquette held an early nine-point lead (15-6) and didn't let go en route to the first win. Mueller nailed five kills and sophomore setter Monica Renfrow added four kills and two block assists in the effort.

Marquette seemed to be off to a fast start in the second game, grabbing the first five points. However, a kill by Megan Crawley sparked 10-2 Huskie run and UConn never looked back sealing game two, 30-25, and tying the match up at one game apiece heading into the intermission.

After the break things heated up as Marquette and UConn traded points for most of the third stanza with neither team holding more than a two-point advantage. The Golden Eagles fended off five game points and tied the game at 29 apiece thanks to a UConn attack error. Another Huskie error and a kill from sophmore middle blocker Jenn Brown clinched the third game for the Golden Eagles, 31-29.

The Golden Eagles were able to hold on winning the fourth game, 34-32, in thrilling fashion. After holding a four-point advantage, the Huskies relinquished the deficit and the two teams traded points the rest of the way. Todd hit two pivotal kills late in the game tying it up in extra points at 31-31 and then at 32-32. A service ace from senior libero Caitie O'Brien gave Marquette a one-point lead, 33-32, and a UConn error won the game (34-32) and the match for the Golden Eagles.

Mueller led the Golden Eagles attack with match-leading 16 kills and added 13 digs for her ninth double double of the season, while Todd was tough at the net tallying five block assists. The Golden Eagle collectively hit 17.4 percent for the match and held the Huskies to just a 12.3 percent attacks percentage.

UConn notched an impressive 17 blocks and four Huskies registered double figured kills in their effort.

The Golden Eagles return to action Friday, October 28, in the Al McGuire Center when they host Villanova at 7 p.m.