No. 16 MU Sweeps Boise State in Second Match on Friday

PROVO, Utah— The 16^th-ranked Marquette volleyball team closed out a perfect opening day, blanking Boise State 3-0 (25-22, 27-25, 25-22) on Friday evening at the BYU Nike Invitational.

Three Golden Eagles (2-0) recorded double digit kills, led by juniors Kaitlyn Lines and Hope Werch with 13 each and senior Allie Barber's 12 kills. Werch tallied her first double-double of the season adding 15 digs, while fellow junior Martha Konovodoff collected 14 digs.

Werch and Lines added to their excellent nights with .522 and .455 hitting percentages, respectively. On the defensive end Elizabeth Orf totaled four blocks in the match.

Senior Lauren Speckman and junior Sarah Rose dished out 25 and 13 assists, respectively.

Marquette took the first set, 25-22 as Werch collected seven digs in the frame. Boise State (0-2) stormed out in the second set and gave the Golden Eagles a fight. The set was tied 10 times and had five lead changes, but three straight points, including two scored from Werch gave the squad a comeback 27-25 victory to lead the match, 2-0.

Closing out the match in three sets was a challenge as the Broncos again played tough and fought for each point, holding a lead on three occasions, but the Golden Eagles were able to take the final frame, 25-22 for the sweep.

"Nobody had a doubt in their mind that we couldn't come back and win it and we are so determined everyone had the same mind set that we had it covered," Werch noted. "In practice we try and simulate situations with us down in a match, but it isn't the same as in games when it really counts and you really have to fight it out. It was a good comeback and if we can do it in non-conference we know we can manage in conference play when a lot is on the line."

Janell Walley posted a double-double for Boise State with 15 kills and 12 digs as Lauren Ohlinger tallied 11 kills.

The Golden Eagles will take on the hosts, No. 9 BYU on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. CT to conclude the BYU Nike Invitational.