The Big East announced the end of season awards for women’s volleyball on Friday morning, and even with a fourth place finish in the league this season, YOUR Marquette Golden Eagles are well represented in the conference’s honors.
The top of the line item? Freshman setter Isabela Haggard was named Co-Freshman of the Year in the Big East, sharing the award with DePaul’s Kendall Timme.
Here’s how the league office wrote that award up:
Timme powered DePaul’s offense and led the league’s rookies in kills
(3.29/set), points (4.01/set), and aces (0.45/set). Additionally, the freshman averaged 2.53 digs and 0.50 blocks per set while appearing in all 58 conference sets for the Blue Demons. Timme was recognized as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 29 and BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on Oct. 13.
Haggard directed the Golden Eagles’ offense in her rookie season, registering 8.38 assists per set to lead the league’s freshmen. Her efforts paced Marquette to a .257 in-conference hitting percentage, good for second in the league, while appearing in all 16 BIG EAST matches. Additionally, the setter averaged 2.36 digs, 0.79 kills, and 0.55 blocks per set. Haggard was named the BIG EAST Setter of the Week on Sept. 22.
In addition to that individual trophy and an obvious spot on the All-Freshman team, Haggard was one of three Golden Eagles named to the All-Big East team. She is joined there by both Hattie Bray and Natalie Ring, both of whom were unanimous selections by the other 10 coaches in the league as coaches can’t vote for their own players.
Here’s what Marquette’s press release on the honors had to say about the trio:
Bray earned her second-straight unanimous selection, and becomes the third player in program history to earn four-straight All-BIG EAST selections, joining Allie Barber (2016-19) and Meghan Niemann (2013-16), after earning the honors in each season since 2021. Ring earns her first-career selection, while Haggard collected All-BIG EAST, All-Freshman, and Co-Freshman of the Year honors from the conference. Haggard is the fourth newcomer in program history to earn the award, and the first since Hope Werch in 2017.
MU also continued their streak of naming three or more student-athletes to the All-BIG EAST Team, a feat accomplished every year since 2005 when the Golden Eagles joined the league.
Bray anchored Marquette’s front line all season with dominant play at the net, as the middle blocker led the conference in blocks per set at 1.22 and finished fourth in the league with a stellar .373 hitting percentage, also totaling 118 blocks on the season.
Ring dominated the league offensively throughout the season, as the outside hitter led the conference in kills per set at 4.53 and paced the league in total kills with 439. Ring also topped the BIG EAST in total attacks (1,122) and points per set (5.10).
Haggard made an immediate impact in her freshman season, ranking third in the conference 9.15 assists per set, while her season total of 878 assists placed her fifth in the league. Haggard’s steady play guided Marquette to a .257 hitting percentage in conference play, second-best in the BIG EAST. Beyond her setting duties, she contributed across the board with 2.36 digs, 0.79 kills, and 0.55 blocks per set.
If I may return to a refrain I have made repeatedly over the years: Why are there 18 women on the All-Big East Team? Just 18 players, no First, Second, or Third Team designations. In particular, this year is especially ridiculous in a sport that starts matches announcing seven starters, six on the floor plus a libero. There are TEN women who were declared to be unanimous selections to the all-conference team. TEN. Three more than a full starting lineup, two away from being both sides of a volleyball match.
What are we doing here?
Seven woman First Team, which will trim those unanimous choices WAAAAAAY down, seven woman Second Team, announce Honorable Mentions if you want. Let’s start being realistic about this, okay?
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Marquette begins postseason play on Saturday when they serve as host for the 2025 Big East tournament. As the #4 seed, the Golden Eagles will face top seeded and nationally ranked Creighton in the first of the two semifinal matches. First serve is set for Noon Central, and ESPN+ will have the broadcast. #2 Xavier will play #3 Villanova at 2:30pm Central and/or after the conclusion of Marquette/Creighton. Saturday’s winners advance to Sunday’s championship match at 2pm Central, and ESPN2 will have the broadcast on that one.
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