9th-Ranked BYU Women’s Volleyball falls to Marquette, ending home win streak

9th-ranked BYU women’s volleyball fell to 16th-ranked Marquette 1-3 in the final game of the BYU Nike Invitational on Saturday evening at the Smith Fieldhouse.

The Cougars and Golden Eagles battled through the first set, trading points. The Cougars would find themselves down 21-19, before going on a run to win the set on a block on set point. Heather Gneiting and Taylen Ballard-Nixon combined to block the Golden Eagles and win the set 25-22.

The second set was dominated by Marquette, who opened up an early lead and never looked back. BYU trailed by as many as 12 in the set, and would lose 16-25. The Cougars would lose the third set 22-25, giving Marquette the 2-1 lead.

The third set wasn’t better for the Cougars, as Marquette would extend and win the set 25-12 and win the game, ending BYU’s home win streak and handing the Cougars their first loss of the season. The loss is also the first loss to the Golden Eagles in their short history, as BYU is now 3-1 against Marquette.

The Cougars return to the Smith Fieldhouse on Thursday to host Long Island University.