No. 7 MU Prevails Over Illinois State, 3-2 in Marathon Match

NORMAL, Ill.— It was a marathon final match in the Redbird Classic on Sunday, but the No. 7 Marquette volleyball team pulled through to defeat Illinois State, 3-2 (25-21, 18-25, 18-25, 25-16, 21-19) on Sunday to win the Redbird Classic.

It was the third consecutive five-set match for the Golden Eagles (7-2) and the fourth this season.

Libero Martha Konovodoff earned MVP honors of the tournament as she averaged 4.80 digs per set in the tournament, including a career-best 36 against UCF on Friday night. Senior Allie Barber and junior Hope Werch claimed all-tournament honors.

Barber led MU with a match-high 25 kills, while Gwyn Jones added eight kills with four blocks. Lauren Speckman totaled her third double-double of the season and second in this tournament as she dished out 30 assists and collected 17 digs. Werch notched 16 digs, while Konovodoff grabbed 12.

It was a back-and-forth match with Illinois State (7-2) taking a 2-1 match lead before Marquette stormed back to force the fifth set. The Golden Eagles held match point at 14-9, but the Redbirds would not stop and continued to chip away at the lead. Illinois State had four match point attempts that MU was able to fend off before a 3-0 run in the final points secured the win.

"It was another gutsy performance," head coach Ryan Theis said. "Allie Barber decided if we were going to stay for five-sets we were going to win. Hope and Martha were rock stars this weekend and never took a break. We played 15 sets against great competition and it will make use better. It's been a tough seven-match stretch since playing BYU and I am pleased to come out at 7-2 overall. We are all looking forward to some rest!"

Illinois State was led by Kaylee Martin with 20 kills, while setter Stef Jankiewicz totaled a double-double 46 assists with 13 digs.

The Golden Eagles will return home for the Hyatt Regency Marquette Invitational beginning on Friday, Sept. 20.