The Marquette Women’s Volleyball team is having another landmark year at the 2024 NCAA championships. With a current overall record of 25-8, the Big East Conference team is competing in its 13th consecutive NCAA Championship tournament. Despite facing off against 4x consecutive Atlantic Sun Conference Championship winners, Florida Gulf Coast University, in the very first round, MU picked up a decisive 3-0 win.

Their round-2 clash with Utah Volleyball was an equally statement-making victory. The Golden Eagles once again swept their opponents to earn only their third NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in the program’s history. However, their upcoming challenge may be the toughest test yet. As MU takes on BIG10 champs Penn State in the semifinals on December 13. So here’s a closer look at the MU roster, who plan to derail Penn State’s momentum.

A look at the Marquette Women’s Volleyball Team’s current roster

Despite falling just short of becoming the 2024 Big East Conference champions, their impressive 16-2 conference record was enough to grant Marquette volleyball yet another shot at earning NCAA glory. Here are the players who make up the squad vying for the NCAA title:

• #1. Yadhira Anchante – Setter
• #2. Molly Berezowitz – Defensive Specialist
• #3. Malayah Long – Setter
• #4. Jenna Reitsma – Outside Hitter
• #5. Calli Kenny – Setter/Defensive Specialist/Right-Side Hitter
• #6. Meghan Clifford – Middle Blocker
• #7. Ella Foti – Right-Side Hitter/Setter

• #8. Adriana Studer – Defensive Specialist

• #9. Sienna Ifill – Right-Side Hitter

• #10. Aubrey Hamilton – Outside Hitter

• #11. Jadyn Garrison – Defensive Specialist
• #12. Carsen Murray – Middle Blocker
• #16. Ella Holmstrom – Outside Hitter
• #17. Natalie Ring – Outside Hitter
• #18. Morgan Daugherty – Middle Blocker
• #22. Hattie Bray – Middle Blocker
• #23. Samantha Naber – Defensive Specialist

Besides having a well-rounded team, Marquette Women’s Volleyball has players who are adept in diverse roles. Standouts Calli Kenny and Ella Foti have the ability to either shine as setters or right-side hitters. They give the MU squad the ability to adapt against their opponent’s strategies on the court. However, they are far from the only standouts of the MU team.

Setter Yadhira Anchante has achieved a whopping 1223 assists this season alone while accumulating a respectable 87 kills. Meanwhile, hitter Aubrey Hamilton has led the team’s attack with 424 kills and a hit percentage of .232. Ella Foti and Natalie Ring have also performed consistently this season, with a percentage of .219 and .292 respectively. However, the players aren’t the only piece of the puzzle to MU’s success this season, as Coach Ryan Theis continues to play a pivotal role.

The man who helped The Golden Eagles expand their record books

Ryan Theis is the fifth head coach of the Marquette Women’s Volleyball Team. He’s also arguably the program’s most successful coach. That’s because Theis helped the Golden Eagles reach the NCAA Championship nine times since signing up as the head coach in 2014. It’s even more incredible considering the team made their NCAA Championship debut in 2011. So let’s take a look at what else Theis has helped the team accomplish.

After earning their first Big East Conference Title in 2013, Theis led the team to two more titles in 2021 and 2022. In 2018, the HC helped MU make their 8th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. That same year, Marquette University volleyball also made history by making it to the NCAA Sweet 16, for the first time in the program’s history. MU players have also made the AVCA All-Region Team 38 times. Yet, despite the record-breaking success, the team has to earn the ultimate prize in college volleyball.

Marquette Women’s Volleyball Team’s NCAA dreams

MU have kept their NCAA title dreams alive after sweeping FGCU and the Utes at this year’s tournament. In fact, 2024 is the second time in three years that the Golden Eagles have made it to the round of 16. The MU volleyball team’s ultimate goal is to progress beyond Penn State, all the way to the regional finals. However, that’s easier said than done against the Nittany Lions.

Fresh off their upset victory over Nebraska in the BIG10 title match, the shared champions have also been fairly dominant in their last two matches. Their victory over last year’s NCAA Championship runner-ups has emboldened the Nittany Lions. Penn State standout Caroline Jurevicius showcased just how determined they are to earn a national title after beating Nebraska.

“I think we just, kind of, solidified like, ‘Yeah, we should be here. We’re Penn State volleyball, and we’re gonna defend our house… We know we can do it. It’s just about capitalizing on that and not resting on our laurels.” Jurevicius said in an interview with Michella Chester. That being said, the Marquette Women’s Volleyball team won’t go down without a fight.