No. 10 Marquette Downs Xavier, 3-0

MILWAUKEE— The 10^th-ranked Marquette volleyball team enjoyed a return to the Al McGuire Center as the Golden Eagles swept Xavier, 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-20) on Friday evening, their 12^th sweep of the season.

With the win, Marquette (20-3, 10-1) has produced its ninth-straight 20-win season. The Golden Eagles had three players record double digit kills led by senior Allie Barber with 15 kills. Junior Hope Werch and sophomore Ellie Koontz each added 11 kills in the match as Werch connected for a .381 clip and Koontz hit .500.

Junior Martha Konovodoff collected 18 digs, while setters Lauren Speckman and Sarah Rose dished out 23 and 21 assists, respectively.

"I thought our offense and defense started really well, we just served poorly in the first," head coach Ryan Theis said. "Our offense remained well throughout- they did a good job with small balls. All in all a pretty consistent offensive night."

Marquette hit .310 in the first set as Werch connected on six kills and hit at a .500 clip helping the Golden Eagles to a 25-21 win. In the second set, MU stormed out to a lead and combined to hit .485 with just two team errors. Xavier (8-13, 5-6) tightened the third set and held a lead, but the Golden Eagles had stellar hitting once again with a .421 team hitting percentage, holding the Musketeers to a .194 clip in the final set.

Xavier was led by Moriah Hopkins and MaryAnn O'Toole with seven kills each, while O'Toole and Madi Kutruff each collected 12 digs.

Marquette combined to hit .398 in the match, the seventh time this season the team has hit over a .300 hitting percentage and held the Musketeers to a .209 clip.

The Golden Eagles have a quick turnaround and hit the road to take on Butler Sunday, Nov. 3 at 12 p.m. CT in Indianapolis.

Hope Welch spoke with media following tonight's sweep over Xavier. #muvb pic.twitter.com/MtWDevOdXv
— Marquette Volleyball (@MarquetteVB) November 2, 2019