VB Drops Five-Setter at Georgetown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Marquette University women's volleyball team (12-7, 6-3 BIG EAST) fell in a five-set match at Georgetown (12-10, 5-4 BIG EAST) Friday evening in the nation's capital.

Marquette was led by Natalie Ring, who turned in a standout performance with 26 kills on .429 hitting, adding four service aces, six digs, and four blocks. Keira Schmidt was efficient in the middle, hitting .714 with five kills and a team-best five blocks, while Hattie Bray contributed seven kills and six blocks at the net. Isabela Haggard directed the offense with 38 assists, 13 digs, and one ace, and Adriana Studer added 11 assists and 14 digs in the back row. Mari King also provided a spark off the bench with four kills, four digs, and two aces.

Marquette fell behind early as Georgetown raced out to a 7–3 lead behind strong serving. The Hoyas used four service aces and steady play at the net to stay in front despite a late Marquette push, as Ring led the Golden Eagles' attack late in the frame, registering multiple kills and an ace to pull within two at 23–21, but Georgetown closed the set on a Marquette attack error, taking the first set, 25-22.

The Golden Eagles responded in emphatic fashion, racing out to a 6–3 lead and never trailing again. Haggard sparked the offense with a service ace and multiple assists, while Ring caught fire at the net with a string of three straight kills midway through the frame. Ella Holmstrom added an ace off the bench, and Marquette's block tightened up late, forcing key Georgetown errors. Emma Parks and Schmidt each contributed at the net as the Golden Eagles closed on a 9–3 run to even the match at one set apiece, 25-17.

Marquette carried its momentum into set three, storming out to a 5–0 lead. The Golden Eagles never trailed again, using balanced offense and timely defense to keep the Hoyas at bay. Ring and Schmidt each delivered crucial blocks, while Bray and Mari King added late kills to seal the victory. Haggard continued to guide a steady attack, finishing off the 25–19 set win to take the match lead.

Marquette looked poised to close out the match after building multiple four-point leads early, fueled by another strong serving run from Ring and key kills from Parks and Bray. However, Georgetown rallied behind a 7–1 run to tie the set, taking advantage of a few Marquette miscues down the stretch, as the Hoyas held on for a 25–23 win to force a decisive fifth frame.

Georgetown seized control early in the decisive frame, using a 7–1 start to command the fifth. Despite a pair of kills from Ring and a strong swing from Bray, Marquette struggled to slow the Hoyas' momentum, as the home team sealed the 15–5 set win to take the match, 3–2.

NOTABLES

Natalie Ring recorded her fourth game this season with 20+ kills, finishing with 26 kills on the match
Isabela Haggard recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 38 assists and 13 digs
Adriana Studer recorded her first-career double-double with a career-high 11 assists and 14 digs