Golden Eagles Fall To USF, 3-2

Oct. 18, 2009

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette women's volleyball team concluded its weekend of play at the Al McGuire Center with a 3-2 loss to USF Sunday afternoon (25-21, 15-25, 14-25, 25-14, 13-15). The defeat brings the Golden Eagles record to 13-9 on the season and 3-5 in BIG EAST Conference play.

"We just have to keep learning and moving forward," head coach Bond Shymansky said. "That's three five set matches in conference that we've lost, and it's just heartbreaking for us to think about what happens if those go the other way. But this is how we have to build our program. Sometimes through that adversity and through those tough losses you will find your true character."

The Golden Eagles were led by sophomore Ashley Beyer who tallied 20 kills. Sophomore Ciara Jones chipped in 11 kills, and setter Nikki Klingsporn connected with MU hitters for 44 assists on the day.

After a strong start to the first set, the Golden Eagles stayed within one of the visitors for the entire frame. In a set characterized by six lead changes and 13 ties, MU finally led by two at 22-20. The Bulls were only scored once more as the Golden Eagles claimed the last three points to close out the set 25-21.

The Bulls emerged victorious in the second set, 25-15. After taking the first point and never leading again in the stanza, MU struggled to stop a 7-1 USF run, which forced the home team behind 7-2. MU suffered several attack and service errors but chipped away at the deficit and came within their closest reach after a Beyer kill brought the score 14-11.

Still ignited from the second set, the Bulls opened the third with a 5-1 run to push the Golden Eagles behind 6-1. Marquette struggled at the net, and USF once again emphasized their hitting power, registering a .565 hitting percentage, compared to MU's .000. With Marquette down 14-5, the squad made a 6-0 run but the Bulls quickly responded and answered with an 8-2 run of their own and eventually took the set 25-14.

USF could not contain Ashley Beyer, whose six kills in the fourth set contributed to a 25-14 MU victory. After trailing 4-1, the Golden Eagles went on to claim the next 12 points to go ahead 13-4. The Bulls struggled at the net and committed seven attack errors during the MU spurt. Klingsporn and Gonyo connected at the net and registered a block two possessions later, which increased MU's lead.

With MU behind 4-1 in the final set, two of Beyer's three kills in the frame brought the home team within two. Gonyo tied the score at eight and from there MU took a one-point lead after a USF attack error.

The Bulls quickly responded and gained on MU after back-to-back kills. Holly Mertens contributed one of her two kills to put MU up by two, 12-10, but USF would respond to take the set and match with a 15-13 victory.

The Golden Eagles will return to the Al McGuire Center Wednesday to face Green Bay at 7 p.m.