CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – On Sunday afternoon at Huff Hall, the Marquette University Golden Eagles (3‑4) were edged out by the Illinois Fighting Illini (5‑3) in a five‑set showdown. Illinois captured the opening two sets, Marquette rallied to take the third, and the Illini closed the match with a 15‑13 win in the decisive fifth.
Key performers
Marquette’s Carson Tyler led the attack with a match‑high 17 kills, a .255 hitting percentage, 12 digs, two service aces and two blocks, earning a double‑double. Emma Parks added 12 kills and four blocks, while Molly Welge contributed six kills and a team‑high six blocks. Keira Schmidt and Tani Juric each posted five kills; Schmidt also recorded three blocks, and Juric added five digs and two blocks. Setter Luanna Markus directed the offense with 38 assists and nine digs, and Emi Juric tallied a career‑high 18 digs.
Illinois spread the scoring across its roster, using early runs to establish leads in the first two sets. The Illini’s steady play and depth proved decisive in the final set.
Set‑by‑set recap
First set: Illinois seized momentum after a 3‑3 tie, rattling off five straight points for an 8‑3 lead. Marquette narrowed the gap to 14‑11 behind Tyler’s five‑kill burst, but Illinois answered with a three‑point run to close the set 25‑15.
Second set: The Illini jumped out to a 7‑1 lead with a 6‑0 run. Tyler’s kill halted the surge, and Schmidt added two kills, but Illinois maintained control, taking the set 25‑11.
Third set: Marquette fought back, trading leads through 12 ties and six lead changes. Tyler and Welge delivered consecutive kills, followed by a Tyler service ace that turned a 14‑12 deficit into a 15‑14 lead. Illinois tied at 21, but Parks’ kills for the 23rd and 24th points gave Marquette a 25‑24 edge. After Illinois held a set point, Marquette rallied for the final three points, sealing the set 27‑25.
Fourth set: Marquette surged to a 7‑2 lead, powered by kills from Welge, Tyler and setter Luanna Markus, plus service aces from Avery Helms and Tyler. Illinois responded, stretching its advantage to 13‑3 before Marquette cut the margin to 14‑9. A 7‑1 run highlighted by Juric, Tyler and Welge’s kills pushed the lead to 21‑10. Illinois made a late push, but Tyler’s kill stopped the run and Markus finished the set 25‑18.
Fifth set: Marquette used a 6‑0 run to flip a 7‑5 deficit into an 11‑7 lead. Juric and Parks each added kills, while Schmidt and Juric combined for a block. Illinois answered with seven straight points to go up 14‑11, but Parks’ kill narrowed the gap to 14‑13. Illinois secured the final point, winning the set 15‑13 and the match.
Looking ahead
Marquette will travel to Madison on Thursday, Sept. 17, for a 7 p.m. CT matchup against Wisconsin, which will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
