Marshall volleyball retakes hold of Capitol - South

The Marshall volleyball team has done exactly what it has needed to since Tuesday, Sept. 17. On that day, the Cardinals took a surprising five-set loss at Cambridge, snapping a 13-game Capitol - South conference winning streak and throwing their conference title defense into jeopardy.

Since then, Marshall's been nearly untouchable. Entering Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Cardinals had rattled off three straight conference victories, losing only one set over that stretch, to remain in perfect lockstep with the Blue Jays of Cambridge atop the Capitol - South standings. Tuesday shook up those standings, however.

Marshall held up its end of the bargain by crushing Wisconsin Heights 3-0. Cambridge, however, had its second 3-0 slip of the season in conference play to Belleville, knocking the Blue Jays out of the tie for first place. Marshall now sits atop the standings at 7-1 while Cambridge and Belleville are tied for second at 6-2.

The Cardinals' trip out to Wisconsin Heights on Tuesday was a quick one as they handled business in the sweep by set scores of 25-15, 25-15, and 25-16. This was the second time this season Marshall has swept the Vanguards.

Junior libero Kennedy Weisensel was the star of the show as her 23 digs that evening put her over 1,000 for her career. Elsewhere on the stat sheet, sophomore setter Ava Neuberger led in both assists (36) and blocks (three) while sophomore outside hitter Carly Checky led in both kills (10) and aces (seven).

Up next, Marshall will take a brief break from conference play to participate in the Mayville Invite on Saturday, Oct. 12.

While the Cardinals are now atop the Capitol - South standings with the Wisconsin Heights win, there is a massive week of conference play ahead. First, Marshall will host Cambridge for a much-anticipated rematch on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Two days later, conference play closes with a road trip to Waterloo on Thursday, Oct. 17. Marshall earned a 3-0 sweep victory in the first edition of this rivalry.

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Capitol - South conference volleyball standings

-as of Tuesday, Oct. 8

1. Marshall, 7-1

T2. Belleville, 6-2

T2. Cambridge, 6-2

4. New Glarus, 3-5

T5. Waterloo, 1-7

T5. Wisconsin Heights, 1-7