(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) – Led by 11 kills from outside hitter Natalie Ring, the Marquette University women’s volleyball team hit .367 in a 25-14, 25-15, 25-15 sweep of Villanova on Friday evening at the Al McGuire Center for its 10th BIG EAST Conference victory.
The Golden Eagles (16-6, 10-1 BIG EAST) hit .379 in the first, .421 in the second and .290 in the third of the 76-minute contest in front of 1,423 fans at the Al.
In addition to Ring’s match-high kill total, MU also received nine kills from Ella Foti, eight from Aubrey Hamilton and seven from middle blocker Hattie Bray, who hit .429 herself with four blocks, two digs and a pair of service aces. Bray powered MU to the first set win with four kills, while Ring stepped up in the second with six on eight error-free swings.
MU libero Samanatha Naber posted a match-best 15 digs to lead three MU players in double figures.
Villanova (13-9, 6-5 BIG EAST) was led by eight kills from Riley Homer, while kill leader Abby Harrell hit .000 with five errors offsetting five kills. Harrell entered the match averaging 3.28 kills per set.
NOTABLE:
- Marquette holds a 26-4 edge in the all-time series, which began when MU entered the BIG EAST for the 2005 campaign.
- MU has won each of the last 13 matches since a five-set loss at Jake Nevin Field House on Oct. 14, 2017.
- Marquette hit .310 and swept Villanova on Oct. 13 in Pennsylvania in the first matchup this year, led by 15 kills from Hamilton.
- MU setter Yadhira Anchante posted her 16th double double of the year with 23 assists and 11 digs. She also added four kills and a season-best five blocks.
- Naber entered the match averaging 3.50 digs per set to rank seventh among players in the BIG EAST in league contests.
UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles continue play at the Al McGuire Center on Sunday at 1 p.m. Central time against St. John’s.
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