Marquette Drops Five-Set Thriller at No. 12 Creighton

OMAHA, Neb.- The Marquette University women's volleyball team (13-9, 7-5 BIG EAST) fell in a five-set thriller at No. 12 Creighton (19-5, 12-0 BIG EAST) Saturday evening on the road.

Natalie Ring led the Golden Eagles with 23 kills, hitting .224 with four digs, a block, and an ace. Elena Radeff and Hattie Bray each tallied 10 kills, with Bray adding three blocks. Setter Isabela Haggard directed the offense with 43 assists, 12 digs, and a service ace, while Adriana Studer chipped in 19 digs and three aces in the back row.

Creighton took control early and never looked back in the opener, using a 9-2 run midway through the frame to separate from Marquette. The Golden Eagles struggled to find rhythm offensively and was limited by attack errors and Creighton's strong blocking at the net, leading to a 25-11 set one win for the home team.

Marquette responded with an impressive showing in the second frame, using balanced offense and strong serving to even the match. The Golden Eagles built an early lead behind kills from Bray and Ring, then held off a Creighton rally with timely aces from Studer and steady setting from Haggard. Ring led the attack late as Marquette closed the set on a 6-2 run to seal it, 25-20.

Marquette carried its momentum into the third frame, overcoming an early deficit with a balanced offensive push led by Ring and freshman Emma Parks. The Golden Eagles used a 6-0 run midway through the set to gain control and never trailed again, as consistent setting from Haggard and timely defense at the net kept Creighton off balance. Ring and Parks combined for several key kills down the stretch to finish off the frame, 25-21, and take a 2-1 match lead.

Creighton built an early cushion, but Marquette battled to stay close with kills from Ring and Bray, along with a late spark from Radeff and Parks. The Bluejays pulled away behind a strong finishing run to seal the set, 25-17, and send it to a decisive fifth set.

Marquette and Creighton traded early points before the Bluejays pulled ahead midway through the frame. Ring and Radeff kept the Golden Eagles within striking distance, while Haggard added a key kill to make it a one-point game at 9-10. However, Creighton responded with a decisive run to close out the match, 15-10.

NOTABLES

Natalie Ring recorded double-digit kills (23) for the third time in the last four matches
Isabela Haggard recorded her 9th double-double of the season

UP NEXT

Marquette returns to the Al McGuire Center for their final homestand of the season, hosting St. John's this Friday (Oct. 7) at 7:00 p.m. and Seton Hall on Sunday (Oct. 9) at 12:00 p.m. for senior day.