Volleyball falls to No. 2 Wisconsin

Box Score (PDF)

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette women's volleyball team suffered a 25-15, 25-18, 25-18 sweep on Sunday, falling to the No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers in front of a capacity crowd at the Al McGuire Center.

Taylor Wolf led MU (6-2) with seven kills while adding 10 assists and six digs in Marquette's second loss of the season.

Wisconsin utilized a well-balanced attack to beat the Golden Eagle defense, with seven hitters managing over three kills for the Badgers.UW was also aggressive in the serving game, putting up nine aces compared to just two for the Golden Eagles.

Marquette hit only .079 in the match (26-18-101), while the Badgers, among the national leaders in hitting percentage, attacked at a clip of .297 (43-16-91).

The Golden Eagles kept set one tight for the first half, but the Badgers went on a 13-6 run to capture the opening frame 25-15.

In set two, UW managed a .355 hitting percentage and added four blocks to cruise to a 25-18 win.

In the final stanza, Marquette kept it close despite seven attack errors, but the Badgers picked up the clean sweep to remain undefeated.

The match was played in front of a sold-out crowd, with 3,330 in attendance at the Al McGuire Center, which was limited to 90 percent capacity for the match.

For Wisconsin (6-0), Jade Demps contributed a match-high 14 kills, while Dana Rettke added eight kills and a .500 hitting percentage.

Badgers' setter Sydney Hilley totaled 35 assists, and libero Lauren Barnes, younger sister of former MU defensive specialist Nicki Barnes, notched 10 digs and three service aces.

In the last contest between the two programs, Marquette pulled out the win in a five-set thriller in Madison, led by 22 kills from outside hitter Allie Barber. That matchup marked MU's second win in the all-time history, but the Badgers' win on Sunday afternoon brought their series edge to 21-2.

UP NEXT: Marquette (6-2) remains home next weekend, hosting the Marquette Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The University of Northern Iowa, University of Texas-San Antonio and Wright State will make the trek to Milwaukee for the event.

Keep up with the Marquette University women's volleyball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteVB) and Instagram (@MarquetteVB) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteVolleyball).