VB Falls in Five to Xavier

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Marquette University volleyball team (11-6, 5-2 BIG EAST) suffered a five-set loss to Xavier (17-2, 6-1 BIG EAST) Friday evening at the Al McGuire Center.

Natalie Ring led the Golden Eagles with 19 kills, while Hattie Bray (13 kills) and Elena Radeff (11 kills) joined Ring with double-digit kills. Isabela Haggard recorded 45 assists, while Adriana Studer notched a match-high 20 digs and six service aces.

Marquette started fast, taking a 7-3 lead behind early kills from Bray and Ring. Xavier answered with a 10-1 run to swing momentum and build a 13-8 advantage. The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to 15-14 after a Mari King ace and back-to-back kills from Ring, but Xavier held firm late, closing the frame 25-20.

The Golden Eagles flipped the momentum quickly, racing to a 7-2 lead behind strong serving from Adriana Studer and a balanced attack from Ring and Elena Radeff. The Golden Eagles extended their advantage to double digits after consecutive blocks and kills from Bray. Senior Sienna Ifill provided a spark off the bench with two late kills, including the set-winner, as MU dominated the frame 25-14 to even the match at one set apiece.

The third set was tightly contested early before Xavier used a 5-0 run to take a 9-6 lead. Marquette battled back behind kills from Ring and Bray to even the score at 11, but the Musketeers answered with another surge. Despite late kills from Bray and Radeff, Xavier held off the Golden Eagles down the stretch to close out the set 25-21 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

MU responded with a strong fourth set, taking control midway through on a serving run by Adriana Studer that included five straight aces. Ring and Bray continued to pace the offense, combining for several key kills as the Golden Eagles built a 22-16 lead. Bray capped the frame with her sixth kill of the set, sealing a 25-19 win to force a decisive fifth.

The deciding frame was a back-and-forth battle featuring seven ties. Marquette trailed 8-6 before kills from Ring and Radeff brought the Golden Eagles even at 11. Xavier answered with a late ace and a pair of Marquette errors to reach match point, closing out the set 15-13 and the match, 3-2.

NOTABLES

Isabela Haggard recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 45 assists and 13 digs
Elena Radeff had her seventh match in double-digit kills this season with 11 kills
Adriana Studer served a career-high six aces, also the most in a match this season for a Golden Eagle
Natalie Ring collected her fifth double-double of the season with 19 kills and 13 digs