VB Set for NCAA Tournament in Louisville Friday

The Marquette University women's volleyball team is set to begin action in the 2025 NCAA DI Women's Volleyball Championship this weekend in Louisville, KY with a match against seven-seed Western Kentucky on Friday, Dec. 5 at 3:00 p.m. CT.

HEADING TO THE 'VILLE

Marquette earned an at-large bid into this year's big dance, and were selected to the Nebraska Regional (top-left) section of the bracket. Two-seed and No. 9 Louisville was selected as the hosts of this weekend's first and second round matches, and will host three matches at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena in Louisville, KY on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6.

On Friday, MU faces off against seven-seed Western Kentucky (27-15, 15-1 CUSA) in the opener at 3:00 p.m. CT, while host Louisville (24-6, 16-4 ACC) takes on Loyola-Chicago (17-15, 12-6 A10) 30 minutes following match one (no earlier than 5:30 p.m. CT). The winners of Friday's matches will square off in the second round on Saturday, with the match scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT. All matches are televised live on ESPN+.

SCOUTING THE 1ST/2ND ROUND

The Golden Eagles face a rematch in the opening round of the tournament, with MU and WKU facing off earlier in the 2025 season. In that matchup on Sep. 5, MU handled the Hilltoppers in straight sets, led by 10 kills from Natalie Ring and Elena Radeff, while Hattie Bray tallied nine. Overall, MU is 4-2 all-time against Western Kentucky.

On the other side of the bracket, MU could find themselves facing off against an old C-USA opponent in Louisville, who owns a 27-5 overall record against Marquette. Marquette has not seen action against the Cardinals since 2013, where MU swept Louisville on a neutral court in Champaign, IL.

Loyola-Chicago, a fellow Jesuit institution similar to MU, is 14-12 all-time against the Golden Eagles. MU and the Ramblers last faced off in the 2022 season, a 3-1 win for Marquette at the Al McGuire Center.

LAST TIME OUT

Marquette fell in straight sets to No. 12 Creighton in the BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Al McGuire Center. Natalie Ring led MU with 13 kills, while Hattie Bray added six kills and two aces, and Isabela Haggard tallied 30 assists. The Golden Eagles battled in each frame, holding set points in the second and tying late in the third, but 16 attack errors and seven service miscues proved costly as Creighton closed out the sweep, 25-19, 28-26, 25-23.

NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY

This year marks MU's 14th appearance in the big dance in the last 15 seasons, with the only absence coming in the spring of 2021 due to a reduced tournament field. Last season, MU advanced to its third Regional Semifinal in program history, ending with a loss to eventual national champion Penn State.

Marquette has made eight trips to the second round of the NCAA tournament and advanced to the regional semifinals in 2018, 2022, and 2024. MU is 11-13 all-time in NCAA tournament play since making its debut appearance in 2011.

2025 IN REVIEW

Marquette finished in a tie for third in the BIG EAST this season and is led by first-year head coach Tom Mendoza, All-BIG EAST selections Hattie Bray and Natalie Ring, and BIG EAST Co-Freshman of the Year, All-BIG EAST, and All-Freshman honoree Isabela Haggard.

Marquette navigated a tough non-conference schedule, opening with gritty five-set battles in Hawaii and later facing national powers Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Florida. The Golden Eagles delivered statement wins over James Madison and Western Kentucky at home, and their sweep of No. 15 Florida marked the season's marquee moment. MU carried that momentum into BIG EAST play, where a key road victory at Xavier helped secure an 11-5 conference record and a return to the postseason.

RING LEADER

A unanimous All-BIG EAST selection and the BIG EAST's top offensive threat and one of the nation's elite hitters, Ring ranks No. 1 in the conference and 20th nationally in kills per set (4.52) and leads the league in points per set (5.08). She also tops the BIG EAST in total attacks (1,153) and kills (452), while sitting 31st nationally in attacks per set (11.53).

BRAY WATCH

A unanimous All-BIG EAST selection and one of the BIG EAST's most efficient and impactful middle blockers, Bray ranks No. 1 in the conference and 72nd nationally in blocks per set (1.20) while hitting at a .369 clip, good for 4th in the BIG EAST and 57th nationally. She also leads Marquette in total blocks (120) and ranks among the league's best in hitting percentage, ranking 4th in the BIG EAST with a .369 hitting percentage.

HEADLINER HAGGARD

The 2025 BIG EAST Co-Freshman of the Year, All-BIG EAST and All-Freshman selection, and the engine behind Marquette's offense, Haggard ranks 3rd in the BIG EAST and 91st nationally in assists per set (9.17). Her 908 total assists place her 4th in the league, and has directed the Golden Eagles' attack with poise, averaging 8.38 assists per set in conference play to lead all BIG EAST freshmen and helping MU hit .257 in league matches (2nd in BIG EAST). Appearing in all 16 conference contests, Haggard added all-around production with 2.36 digs, 0.79 kills, and 0.55 blocks per set, and earned BIG EAST Setter of the Week honors on Sept. 22.

FRESHMAN CONTRIBUTORS

Marquette's rookie class made an immediate impact across the court in 2025. S Isabela Haggard has started 26/27 matches, running the offense with 908 assists while adding 84 kills and 241 digs. MB Keira Schmidt is a force in the middle with 90 kills and 82 blocks over 26 match starts. OH Mari King provided back-row stability in all 27 matches, recording 150 digs and 16 aces.

ALL-BIG EAST HONORS

Graduate student Hattie Bray, senior Natalie Ring, and freshman Isabela Haggard were named to All-BIG EAST teams for the 2025 season. Bray collected her fourth-straight honor and second consecutive unanimous selection, joining elite company in program history, while Ring earned her first career nod after leading the league in kills and points per set. Haggard capped a standout rookie season with All-BIG EAST, All-Freshman, and Co-Freshman of the Year honors.

HATTIE BRAY TO THE PROS

Graduate student Hattie Bray became the first Marquette player selected in the Major League Volleyball Draft, going 25th overall to the Grand Rapids Rise. A four-time All-BIG EAST honoree, Bray led the league in blocks per set (1.22) and ranked
fourth in hitting percentage (.373). She joins former Golden Eagles Jenna Reitsma and Jenna Rosenthal in the pro ranks.

MARQUETTE MISC.

Signature wins for MU include 3–0 vs Florida (Sept. 19), 3–0 vs James Madison (Sept. 13), 3–0 vs Western Kentucky (Sept. 5), and 3–1 at Xavier (Nov. 16).
Across all games, Marquette hit .250 with 13.06 kills per set, 2.36 blocks per set, and 1.55 aces per set while holding opponents to .192 hitting.
In conference play, Marquette ranked second in hitting percentage (.257) and opponent hitting percentage (.163), second in blocks (2.46 per set), and third in aces (1.73 per set).
Adriana Studer provided a serving spark with 40 total aces on the season.
Marquette's team highs include a .396 hitting percentage vs James Madison (Sept. 13), 17.0 blocks at St. John's (Oct. 11), and 81 digs vs Xavier (Oct. 17).
Marquette averaged 1,701 fans per home date, drawing a total of 25,521 across 15 home matches.