WKU Volleyball’s season comes to an end, falling to the Marquette Golden Eagles 3-0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday afternoon.
Despite the Hilltoppers hitting .320 on the night, the offensive firepower from the Marquette Golden Eagles was too much for the Hilltopper defense.
“We knew both schools were powerhouses offensively, and so we knew that we had to defend, and we definitely came up short in that area,” senior defensive specialist Abby Schaefer said.
WKU could not find the defense needed to stop Marquette, hitting .375. The defensive struggles from the Hilltoppers began on the service line, as Marquette finished the night with six service aces.
The Hilltoppers spread out the offense, with four players having seven or more kills. Freshman outside hitter Kaira Knox led with 14 kills. Junior middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele poured in nine kills and a team-high five blocks.
“We were right where we needed to be in the match offensively. When you hit .320 in the NCAA tournament, you’re supposed to win,” Head Coach Travis Hudson said.
Set One
WKU fell 25-22 in set one. Neither team would give in early, trading points back and forth. Marquette was able to gain momentum, behind senior outside hitter Natalie Ring, taking a 15-12 lead. The Hilltoppers could not stop the swing of Marquette, going down 24-20. WKU held off two set points before a kill from the Golden Eagles ended the set.
Set Two
WKU fell 25-21 in set two. The Hilltoppers jumped out to a quick 4-2 lead early in the set, before a 5-0 run from Marquette gave the Golden Eagles a 7-4 lead. Neither team would give in, trading points until Marquette took a 21-20 lead. The Hilltoppers could not stop the swing from Ring, as a Marquette kill put the set away.
Set Three
WKU fell 25-16 in set three. The Hilltoppers could not get any momentum going in the set, going down 15-11 early. WKU looked to find the holes in the defense of Marquette, pulling within five, 20-15. The Golden Eagles’ offense could not be stopped despite multiple blocks from Van De Wiele. A 4-0 run put the set and match away for Marquette, off a Van De Wiele attack error.
WKU will look ahead to next season, finishing with a 27-6 record.
