Oct. 9, 2008

Rabbecka Gonyo, sits down with MUTV to discuss the season thus far, the team and this weekend's matches. Click here for interview

Marquette Weekly Game Notes

MILWAUKEE -- The Marquette women's volleyball team returns to action at USF on Friday at 6 p.m., before playing at Georgetown on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT. Live stats for both matches will be available on GoMarquette.com.

The Golden Eagles (7-8, 2-1 BIG EAST) look to return to the form they showed in their win over defending BIG EAST Champion St. John's on Fri., Oct. 3. MU also dropped a three-set match to Connecticut on Oct. 5.

"The St. John's game was a show of patience and confidence," said head coach Pati Rolf. "Our team was able to capitalize on their errors and put a lot of pressure on St. John's, leading to success. Against UConn, the women had such high expectations because of the St. John's game, but they got frustrated when things were not going their way."

Leading the Golden Eagles into the weekend is junior setter Caryn Mastandrea, who was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll this week for the second time on the season. In the victory over the Red Storm, Mastandrea recorded a career-high 19 digs to go along with seven kills and 39 assists, for her fifth double-double of the season.

Against USF, the Golden Eagles will go against one of the top outside hitters in the nation in Marcela Gurgel, who leads the BIG EAST and ranks seventh in NCAA Division 1 with 4.59 kills per set. The Bulls (11-7, 2-2 BIG EAST) will host Marquette in Tampa on Friday before traveling to Syracuse on Sunday.

"USF is a good team that will require us to play consistently," said Rolf. "We have had great practices this week and the women know what they did wrong in the match against UConn. I am looking forward to an exciting match at South Florida."

Prior to hosting Marquette on Sunday, Georgetown (10-7, 3-1 BIG EAST) will play at Syracuse on Friday evening.

"With Georgetown I do not know what to expect. I think they are more dangerous this year and have had some big wins. We like playing in D.C., because we have had some recent success there."