Golden Eagles host DePaul in BIG EAST opener

Match Notes (PDF)

MILWAUKEE – The No. 19 Marquette University women's volleyball team begins BIG EAST Conference action on Wednesday night at the Al McGuire Center against long-time rival DePaul.

Opening serve is slated for 7 p.m. Central time and the match is broadcast live on the BIG EAST Digital Network, through FloSports, with Bob Brainerd on the call. Live statistics are available on GoMarquette.com.

No. 19 MARQUETTE (9-1): The Golden Eagles are off to their best 10-match start to a season since 2009 and are one victory from tying their best start since joining NCAA Division I. They began the 1997 season with 10-straight victories after losing their season opener to Bowling Green.

This season, MU has won its first six home matches and seven straight following a Sept. 2 loss at then-No. 6 Wisconsin. MU has four more home matches in a row to conclude its season-long 10-match homestand, including Wednesday's contest against the Blue Demons.

Outside hitter Aubrey Hamilton leads the Golden Eagles with 117 kills (3.08 per set) on the year, while setter Yadhira Anchante has helped MU hit a BIG EAST-best .271. Marquette is also second in the league in assists and kills and third in service aces.

Middle blocker Carsen Murray currently sits second among qualified players in hitting percentage (.363), Anchante is third in assists per frame (10.03) and Murray also ranks sixth in blocks per set (1.08).

Hamilton was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday afternoon for her role in wins over Green Bay, then-No. 25 Illinois and Illinois State last week. The junior hit .316 in MU's 3-0 week with 3.09 kills per set and led the team in points.

DEPAUL (4-8): The Blue Demons, who were picked third in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, have won four of their last six matches after beginning the season with six losses.

DePaul most recently fell in four sets at UIC on Saturday night and owns wins this year over Virginia Tech, Eastern Michigan, Saint Louis and Loyola Chicago.

Preseason All-BIG EAST outside hitter Jill Pressly leads the Blue Demons and is third in the league with 180 kills (3.67 per set) on .235 hitting. She also sits second on the squad in digs (3.10 per set), behind teammate and BIG EAST-leader Rachel Krasowski with 5.02 per frame.

SERIES WITH DEPAUL: Marquette is 39-29 all-time against DePaul and has faced the Blue Demons more times than any opponent outside of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. MU has won 22-straight matches against DePaul dating back to a 3-2 loss in Chicago on Nov. 1, 2008. Prior to that, MU had won seven in a row and has captured 29 of the last 30 meetings overall. Since joining the BIG EAST for the 2005 season, MU is 25-1 against DePaul.

Keep up with the Marquette University women's volleyball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteVB) and Instagram (@MarquetteVB) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteVolleyball).