Marquette Volleyball: Key Matches Against Top-Ranked Opponents

Marquette's Challenge Against Top 15 Opponents

With Marquette already facing five set losses to San Diego and Ball State in their first seven matches of the season, it’s clear that expectations need to be tempered for what lies ahead in the next three games. These upcoming contests will pit the Golden Eagles against three top 15 opponents as per Monday’s updated top 25 poll. If Marquette had a 6-1 record, one might consider the possibility of them pulling off an upset. However, with a current record of 5-2 after a loss to Ball State where the Cardinals scored the final eight points of the fifth set, it's a concerning sign.

Ball State, despite a 4-5 record, is likely a weaker team than Wisconsin, Florida, or Minnesota. Therefore, if Marquette manages to secure a win in any of these three games, it would be a significant achievement under Tom Mendoza’s first season as head coach. If not, three straight losses might just be part of the ongoing challenges this season presents. The only hope is that Marquette delivers a near-perfect performance to beat a top 15 team.

Unless Ryan Theis wants his Gators to take a dive on Friday, which I wouldn’t mind if it happened.

Match #8: vs #7 UW-Madison Badgers (5-1)

Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 8pm Central
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Television: Big Ten Network
Streaming: FoxSports.com/live
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Twitter Updates: @MarquetteVB
Bluesky Updates: @AnonymousEagle

Marquette has a poor historical record against Wisconsin, standing at 2-24 all time and 1-18 since moving to Division 1 volleyball. Their last win came in 2019 when both teams were ranked in the top 15.

Wisconsin's only loss this season was at home in straight sets against then-#5 and currently #2 Texas. They have also secured wins over then-#14 Kansas and then-#21 Georgia Tech, with the latter coming on the road. As the preseason AVCA top 25 poll had them at #8, their current ranking is well-deserved based on their season performance.

Mimi Colyer leads the Badgers with an impressive 5.21 kills per set, hitting at a .349 clip. Grace Egan follows with 3.19 kills per set, while Charlie Fuerbringer, the setter, averages 11.28 assists per set. She also contributes 3.33 digs per set, showcasing her versatility.

Match #9: vs #15 Florida Gators (5-2)

Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Time: 6pm Central
Location: McGuire Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Television: FS1
Streaming: FoxSports.com/live
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Twitter Updates: @MarquetteVB
Bluesky Updates: @AnonymousEagle

Marquette has a 1-3 record against Florida, with their only win coming in Gainesville during Ryan Theis’ first season as head coach in 2014. This was MU’s first victory against a top 10 ranked opponent.

Florida has won five of six matches since losing to Stanford, including a five-set win over Pitt and a recent home win over Baylor. They lost to North Carolina, which didn’t help their AVCA ranking.

Jordyn Bird leads Florida with just over four kills per set, hitting .258. Aniya Madkin is second with 2.78 kills per set. Alexis Stucky is the primary setter, averaging 8.52 assists per set. Taylor Parks has been consistent, averaging 2.76 assists per set.

Florida’s defense is strong, led by Lily Hayes with 3.30 digs per set. Alec Rothe and Jaela Auguste provide formidable blocking, with both averaging more than a block per set.

Match #10: vs #12 Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-1)

Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 5pm Central
Location: McGuire Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Television: FS1
Streaming: FoxSports.com/live
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Twitter Updates: @MarquetteVB
Bluesky Updates: @AnonymousEagle

Marquette has a 2-8 record against Minnesota, with their only wins coming in a 3-2 loss in 2011 and a 3-0 sweep in the 2015 NCAA tournament.

Minnesota has a strong record of 8-1, with their only loss coming against Texas A&M. They have also swept a Dayton squad that was in the preseason top 25.

Julia Hanson leads Minnesota with 4.0 kills per set, hitting .341. Alex Acevedo is a solid second option with 2.68 kills per set. Stella Swenson, the setter, averages 10.32 assists per set. Zeynep Palabiyik, the libero, has been sidelined recently, with McKenna Garr stepping up to average 3.55 digs per set.

Lourdes Myers leads the team in blocks with 1.36 per set, while Carissa Minatee adds 1.04 per frame.

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