Marquette University women’s volleyball (7‑5) will hit the road Wednesday, Sept. 30, for a mid‑week showdown with the DePaul Blue Demons at 7 p.m. CT in Chicago. The match marks the latest chapter in a rivalry that dates back to 1982 and offers the Golden Eagles a chance to extend a 30‑match winning streak against DePaul that began in 2009.
Recent success fuels confidence
Marquette entered the week on a season‑best four‑match winning streak, snapping a five‑set loss to St. Thomas and then sweeping Milwaukee, UConn and Providence in straight sets. The Eagles have won 11 consecutive sets since dropping the first two frames against St. Thomas, outscoring opponents 275‑214 during that run. Six of the program’s seven victories this season have come in three‑set sweeps, and the team is a perfect 6‑0 in three‑set matches.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles have been stingy, holding each of their last four opponents below a .200 hitting percentage – St. Thomas (.193), Milwaukee (.065), UConn (.182) and Providence (.087). Opponents have collectively hit just .137 during the four‑match streak, while Marquette forced 84 attack errors.
Key players step up
Senior outside hitter Carson Tyler led the recent win over Providence with 18 kills on .400 hitting and 11 digs, earning her fifth double‑double of the season. Setter Luanna Markus contributed 31 assists and seven digs in that match. Tyler also tops the team’s service chart with 21 aces, ranking third in the BIG EAST at 0.47 per set.
On the DePaul side, senior outside hitter Kendall Timme has amassed 169 kills (3.76 per set) this season, while Isabela Tavares‑Salomon adds 142 kills (3.16 per set) on .271 hitting. Setter Leonor Polezzi directs the Blue Demons’ offense with 390 assists (8.67 per set) and a team‑high 28 aces. The Blue Demons are hitting .244 and averaging 13.20 kills, 1.82 aces and 2.02 blocks per set.
Historical context
Marquette holds a 47‑29 all‑time edge over DePaul. After DePaul dominated the early years of the series, the Golden Eagles have taken control in recent decades. The Eagles have not lost to DePaul since a five‑set defeat on Nov. 1, 2008, and have won every meeting since, including a 3‑0 sweep in Milwaukee on Oct. 5, 2025, and a 3‑1 road victory in Chicago on Oct. 29, 2025.
What the matchup means for BIG EAST standings
Both teams enter the contest 2‑0 in BIG EAST play. A win for Marquette would improve its conference record to 3‑0 and keep the Eagles above .500 for the first time this season at 7‑5 overall. DePaul, currently 10‑3 overall, also looks to maintain its unbeaten conference start and solidify its position near the top of the league.
Service battle
Marquette’s serving has been a strength, ranking fourth in the BIG EAST with 1.53 aces per set and a .918 serving percentage, compared to .865 for opponents. The Eagles have recorded 69 service aces while committing 48 fewer service errors than their rivals (80‑128).
With the series history, recent form, and a strong serving advantage, the Golden Eagles head into Chicago with confidence. DePaul will rely on its balanced attack and solid defense to try to break the long‑running streak.
Fans can catch the action live at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Sept. 30, either in person at DePaul’s campus arena or via the school’s streaming platform.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
