Volleyball Wins Third Straight; Sweeps Rutgers, 3-0

Oct. 30, 2005

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette volleyball team recorded its third straight win and its first BIG EAST weekend sweep this afternoon in the Al McGuire Center defeating Rutgers, 3-0 (30-23, 30-28, 30-22). With the win the Golden Eagles improve to 13-10, 6-5 BIG EAST, while Rutgers falls to 9-14 4-6 BIG EAST.

"It was a total team effort today and probably the best I have seen this team play together all season," said head coach Pati Rolf. "The leadership of our seniors showed helping everyone to maintain composure while keeping the intensity up. We are going to rest a bit tomorrow, but come ready to play our cross-town rival UWM on Tuesday."

The Golden Eagles hit the ground running in the first game, jumping out to an early 6-3 advantage and never looking back leading by as many as nine at one point during the game. Marquette hit a match high 26.2 percent behind junior Jamie Mueller and sophomore Kim Todd who combined for nine of the Golden Eagles' total 16 kills in the first stanza. Senior Theresa Coughlin and sophomore Jenn Brown each contributed three kills to help Marquette's cause.

In game two, Marquette kept the momentum rolling as the Scarlet Knights began to challenge going on a 10-1 run, leading by as many as five points (17-12). The Golden Eagles stormed back and tied the game at 26 apiece and Todd nailed back-to-back kills to lead 28-26. Another Todd kill and two consecutive errors by the Scarlet Knights clinched the 30-28 win for the Golden Eagles. Todd led the way for Marquette with eight kills and just one error in her 11 swings in game two.

Marquette wrapped up the sweep, winning game three, 30-22. While never trailing, the Golden Eagles led by 11 points before the Scarlet Knights fended off five game points. A kill from Jenn Brown sealed the game and match win for the Golden Eagles and sent Rutgers home with its third consecutive loss.

Collectively, the Golden Eagles outkilled the Scarlet Knights 58-42 with three Golden Eagles, Coughlin (11 kills), Mueller (15 kills) and Todd (17 kills), notching double figured kills. Coughlin and Todd ended the day with double doubles, adding 12 and 14 digs respectively. Sophomore Tiffany Helmbrecht and Jenn Brown were tough at the net tallying five blocks each.

Lora Yankauskas led Rutgers with 16 kills.

Marquette will get a day off and return to action on Tuesday, November 1 when it plays at cross-town rival Wisconsin-Milwaukee at 7 p.m.