(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) MILWAUKEE -The Marquette University volleyball team (3-3) downed Illinois (4-3) in straight sets Friday evening in the 2026 home opener at the Al McGuire Center.
Carson Tyler paced Marquette with a double-double of 13 kills, 11 digs and a service ace. Tani Juric added eight kills on a team-best .500 hitting percentage, and Molly Welge posted a career-high eight kills. Keira Schmidt hit .571 with four kills and two service aces, while Luanna Markus dished out 30 assists and added 10 digs. Emi Juric led the Golden Eagles with 13 digs as MU hit .220 with 42 kills, six service aces and 10 total blocks.
Marquette controlled the opening set from the start, scoring seven of the first 10 points before extending its advantage to 15-9. The Golden Eagles maintained at least a three-point cushion the rest of the way and closed the frame on a 10-2 run. Carson Tyler delivered four kills during the final six Marquette points, including three straight to bring up set point, before Avery Helms finished the frame with a service ace, 25-16.
Marquette overcame a 4-0 deficit in the second set, using an 8-2 run to take its first lead at 8-7. Illinois pulled even at 16-16 and again at 20-20, but the Golden Eagles responded with three straight points, including consecutive kills from Carson Tyler and an Avery Helms service ace. Tyler later put away the set winner to give Marquette a two-set advantage, 25-22.
Marquette battled through a back-and-forth third set that featured 11 ties, erasing a 23-20 deficit late in the frame. The Golden Eagles fought off two set points before consecutive kills from Tani Juric gave MU a 25-24 lead. An Illinois attack error on the ensuing point completed the comeback and secured the sweep for Marquette, 26-24.
NOTES
- Marquette improves to 2-6 all-time against the Illini
- Emi Juric finished with a career-high tying 13 digs, her fourth match in double-digits this season
- Carson Tyler recorded her second double-double of the season, recording 13 kills and 11 digs
- Molly Welge recorded a career-high eight kills
- Luanna Markus posted a double-double of 30 assists and 10 digs, her second of the season
UP NEXT
Marquette will wrap a home-and-home series at Illinois this Sunday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. CT in Champaign, Ill.
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