Creighton Volleyball Wins Big East Tournament

OMAHA, Neb. -- Fifth-ranked Creighton Volleyball collected its 10th BIG EAST Tournament title (2014-18, 2020-24) in 11 years with a straight set victory over Marquette (25-14, 25-16, 25-19) on Saturday, November 30.

Creighton's third win of the fall over Marquette moved the Bluejays to 29-2 on the season, tying them for the national lead in victories. The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, fell to 23-8.

Leading 6-5 in the opening set the Bluejays created the first separation of the match with a 5-1 run that saw Ava Martin, Norah Sis and Kiara Reinhardt each deliver kills to push Creighton out to an 11-6 advantage. Marquette closed within 12-10 but an 8-1 response by the Bluejays put the set out of reach. This time Martin set the tone for the run with three service aces, while middle blocker Elise Goetzinger contributed two kills and a block. Leading 20-11, the Bluejays took set one 25-14.

Trailing 2-0 early in the second set, Creighton took control quickly with 13 of the next 15 points to race out to a 13-4 lead. Once more it was Goetzinger and Martin leading the surge. The duo combined for five kills and an ace during the run. Creighton's defense limited the Golden Eagles to a hitting percentage of .081 during the second set, forcing eight attack errors, including four blocks.

A much closer battle in the third set saw Creighton battle through 10 ties and five lead changes, before pulling away down the stretch. Locked in the 10th tie of the set at 17-17 Creighton took five of the next six points via three blocks and kills from Martin as well as Jaya Johnson to force Marquette to take a commanding 22-18 lead and went on for the 25-19 victory as Sydney Breissinger served up an ace on match point.

Martin and Sis led Creighton with 10 kills in the match, while setter Wait closed the contest with 35 assists and 11 digs.  CU had 37 kills, nine aces, 43 digs and eight blocks on .295 hitting.

Marquette got 19 kills from Aubrey Hamilton, who added 10 digs and hit .333. The Golden Eagles finished with 32 kills, 43 digs, five blocks and no aces on .109 hitting.

Following the match Wait earned the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, and joined by Martin and  Sis on the All-Tournament Team. Rounding out the All-Tournament squad were Yadhira Anchante and Hamilton from Marquette, Jill Pressly of DePaul and Campbell McKinnon of Villanova.

The victory earns Creighton an automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament, its 13th straight appearance in the Big Dance. The Bluejays will host a Selection Show open to the public and media on Sunday, Dec. 1 at D.J.'s Dugout (1003 Capitol Ave.) to watch the bracket unveil, which begins at 5 p.m. on ESPN.