(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) QUEENS, NY – The Marquette University volleyball team (11-5, 5-1 BIG EAST) capped a perfect East Coast trip with a four-set victory over St. John’s (5-14, 1-5 BIG EAST) Saturday evening.
Marquette was led by Natalie Ring, who paced the offense with 16 kills and added six blocks. Hattie Bray followed with nine kills and a match-high nine blocks, while Keira Schmidt contributed six kills and seven blocks in a strong front-row effort. Setter Isabela Haggard guided the attack with 26 assists and added steady defense, as Mari King anchored the back row with 12 digs.
The Golden Eagles built early momentum in set one behind kills from Bray and Schmidt, with Haggard spreading the offense effectively. Midway through the set, a kill and back-to-back service aces from Bray helped Marquette pull ahead, and Schmidt sealed the frame with a kill and block assist to take set one, 25-19.
Marquette jumped out to a quick 3–0 lead behind strong serving from King and early blocking from Schmidt and Ring in set two, but the Red Storm used a mid-set serving run and several key blocks to pull ahead late, while Marquette struggled to maintain rhythm offensively. St. John’s took set two, 19-25, to even the match at one set each.
After trailing 3–0 early in set three, the Golden Eagles flipped the momentum with an 11-0 run powered by strong serving from Elena Radeff and multiple blocks at the net from Ring and Bray. Adriana Studer added two service aces during the surge, while Isabela Haggard efficiently directed the offense. The decisive run and all-around execution gave Marquette a 25-11 set three win, and a 2–1 lead in the match.
The Golden Eagles built an early lead in set four behind strong blocking from Bray, Schmidt, and Ring, who combined for several key stops at the net. After St. John’s rallied to tie the set at 17–17, Marquette responded with kills from Ring and Radeff to regain control. The Red Storm pushed the frame to a tense 23–23 tie, but Bray delivered a clutch kill to reach match point, and Ring followed with her 16th kill to seal the set for the Golden Eagles, 25-23, and a four-set victory on the road for Marquette.
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