Marquette University Athletics
MU Travels to Butler for BIG EAST Lidlifter
9/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Watch on Facebook Live | Live Stats
INDIANAPOLIS--The Marquette University women's volleyball team will begin its 13th season of BIG EAST Conference play traveling to Butler on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. Central time.
Live stats are available at butlersports.com, while Butler will host video of the match via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/ButlerBulldogs, or use the links at the top of this page.
The Golden Eagles are 6-5 this season and have already played five nationally ranked teams, while Butler has opened the season 10-2 with sole losses coming against No. 19 Michigan and Eastern Michigan. The Bulldogs are led offensively by Whitney Beck who has registered 173 kills (3.93/set), followed by Natalie Ravenell with 106 kills.
The Golden Eagles are coming off a 3-0 win against Southern Miss in the final game of the Badger Classic on Friday. Marquette was the first team in the nation to win a set against the undefeated and fifth-ranked Wisconsin squad in the first match of the tournament on Thursday.
Marquette leads Butler with an all-time series record of 10-6, including taking eight of nine since the Bulldogs joined the BIG EAST. The Golden Eagles were victorious in both matchups of the 2016 season.
Marquette's Allie Barber leads the BIG EAST in kills with 191 on the season (4.66/set) and ranks 26th in the NCAA, while classmate Lauren Speckman accounts for 486 assists leading the Conference with an average of 11.81/set, which is eighth nationally.
Following Wednesday's trip to Butler, the Golden Eagles will continue BIG EAST action hosting Seton Hall Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. CT at the Al McGuire Center. The matchup against the Pirates will air live on the BIG EAST Digital Network.
Barber and Konovodoff Honored
Sophomore outside hitter Allie Barber was selected as BIG?EAST Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season, while freshman libero Martha Konovodoff earned a spot on the weekly honor roll. Barber and Konovodoff helped lead the Golden Eagles to a 2-1 week last week with both victories coming in straight sets over Milwaukee and Southern Miss. For the week, Barber averaged 4.80 kills/set and brought her season average to 4.66 kills/set and .73 blocks/set, while Konovodoff led the league with 4.80 digs per set and had a weekly high of 18 digs against No. 5 Wisconsin.
Double-Doubles
Four different Golden Eagles have recorded at least one double-double this season. Jenna Rosenthal and Anna Haak have each notched one, while Lauren Speckman and Hope Werch have recorded three double-doubles apiece this season.
Newcomers Standing Out
Newcomers, including freshmen and Anna Haak (Jr.) and Sandy Mohr (So.) have scored 40 percent of Marquette's point total for the season, having a strong impact on the shape of the Golden Eagles. Hope Werch paves the way with 108.0 points this season and is averaging 2.33 kills per set.
National Mark
Marquette's stats are gaining notice around the county both individually and as a team. Setter Lauren Speckman is eighth in the NCAA with 11.85 assists per set, leading the Golden Eagles to a 13.27 assists per set average, which is 26th nationally. With 4.66 kills per set, Allie Barber leads the BIG?EAST and is 16th in the NCAA.
League Lidlifter
For the second straight season MU?will open BIG?EAST play on the road. Marquette opens its 13th season in the BIG EAST Conference on Wednesday and owns a 124-59 record in league play. Last season the Golden Eagles fell at Creighton in the BIG?EAST opener, 3-0.
Toppling Ranked Opponents
Marquette opened 2017 defeating then-No. 20 Hawaii, 3-2 on its home court. This was the third straight season that the Golden Eagles have opened the year beating a ranked opponent in a true road win. In 2015, MU topped No. 21 Iowa State and in 2016 it was a victory at No. 7 USC.
