RV Marquette Blanks Saint Louis, 3-0 to Win Tournament

ST. LOUIS – Jenna Rosenthal earned MVP honors and Allie Barber and Anna Haak were named to the all-tournament team as the Marquette University volleyball team completed a perfect weekend with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-19) sweep over Saint Louis to win the Marcia E. Hamilton Classic on Saturday evening.

The Golden Eagles (5-1) were led by sophomore Allie Barber with 15 kills and a .519 hitting percentage, while sophomore Hope Werch and senior Anna Haak each added eight kills. Junior setter Lauren Speckman dished out a match-high 22 assists, while sophomore Sarah Rose handed out 12. Speckman also collected a team-high 10 digs, for her second double-double of the season.

"We challenged ourselves this week to be a little more efficient and to block a little more, and we were," head coach Ryan Theis said. "In four of the first six sets we played we were under seven errors. When you are a little more efficient you can get some 3-0 wins and we were fortunate to get all nine sets this weekend."

Marquette combined for eight team blocks with redshirt senior Jenna Rosenthal adding five and Haak and sophomore Elizabeth Orf going up for three.

Marquette topped SLU, 25-18 in the first set and then closed out the second frame on an 18-5 run, paced by four kills and a .571 clip from Orf. The third and final set finished with a 25-19 victory from MU, completing the Golden Eagles' third straight sweep and fifth of the year.

SLU (0-6) was led by Maya Taylor with 13 kills, while Cayce Chaykowsky collected 13 digs.

The Golden Eagles will play their home opener on Friday, Sept. 7 hosting current No. 7 USC as part of the Marquette Tournament. MU will also host current No. 9 BYU on Saturday, Sept. 8 and Syracuse on Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Al McGuire Center.