The buzz in Milwaukee is electric, and for good reason. As mid-August rolls in, the Marquette Golden Eagles are loading up for what looks like a monster 2026 campaign. They’re riding a unanimous preseason #1 ranking in the BIG EAST and a #14 national debut in the AVCA Coaches Poll. This squad isn’t just aiming for a conference crown - they’ve got their sights locked on a deep NCAA Tournament run. The roster has seen its share of shakeups, but the core? It’s not just back - it’s hungry, seasoned, and stacked with firepower. Let’s break down the returning stars ready to lead the charge from the Al McGuire Center.
The Veteran Core: Fifth-Year Stars and a Record-Breaking Setter
If you want the heartbeat of this team, start with the players who’ve seen it all. Two key decisions to use the COVID-era fifth year of eligibility have flipped this team from good to legit national contender.
Leading the way is outside hitter Aubrey Hamilton, a two-time All-BIG EAST First Team pick on a historic track. She enters the season with 1,842 career kills - second-most in program history - and sits just 158 shy of breaking Allie Barber’s all-time record. At her typical pace, that mark falls in the first few weeks. Alongside her up front, middle blocker Hattie Bray returns as another All-BIG EAST First Team standout whose impact stretches well beyond the net. Bray’s 117 career service aces already rank third all-time at Marquette, making her a dual threat who can flip a set with her serve or stuff an opponent at the net.
📊 Aubrey Hamilton needs just 158 kills to break Marquette’s all-time record - She’s projected to smash it in the first few weeks of 2026.
Then there’s the offense’s quarterback, senior setter Ella Foti. After pacing the BIG EAST with 11.2 assists per set in 2025, Foti is on the verge of etching her name into the record books. She needs just 214 assists to break the program’s all-time mark - a milestone she’s projected to hit during opening weekend. With a seasoned setter feeding a duo like Hamilton and Bray, opposing defenses are going to have a nightmare trying to game-plan this attack.
| Player | Position | 2025 Key Stat | Accolade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aubrey Hamilton | Outside Hitter | 1,842 career kills | 2x All-BIG EAST First Team |
| Hattie Bray | Middle Blocker | 117 career aces | All-BIG EAST First Team |
| Ella Foti | Setter | 11.2 assists/set | BIG EAST leader |
| Jenna Reitsma | Libero | 4.8 digs/set | BIG EAST Defensive POY |
Defensive Anchors and New Faces: Shoring Up the Middle
The offense grabs headlines, but championships are often won on defense. In that department, the Golden Eagles are in elite hands with graduate libero Jenna Reitsma back in the fold. The reigning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year ranked second in the conference with 4.8 digs per set in 2025. Her back-row leadership is the safety net that lets hitters take big swings, knowing she’s got the coverage behind them.
Still, the coaching staff has had to get creative in the middle after a tough break. Junior middle blocker Lily Besch tore her ACL in June and will miss all of 2026. It’s a gut punch, but it’s also opened the door for a major addition. Enter Kennedy Wagner, a transfer from Texas A&M named to the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2025. Wagner is projected to start right away alongside Bray, giving Marquette a formidable, athletic presence at the net who should soften the blow of Besch’s absence. Add sophomore Kylie Munday - a breakout pick for 2026 - and the attacking depth looks plenty deep.
📊 Jenna Reitsma returns after ranking 2nd in the BIG EAST with 4.8 digs per set - The reigning Defensive Player of the Year anchors a back row built for a title run.
The Road Ahead: High Stakes and High Expectations
The returning players aren’t looking to just repeat - they’re looking to dominate. The preseason hype is real, but so is the target on their backs. With a unanimous #1 BIG EAST ranking and a top-15 national spot, every opponent will bring their "A" game to Milwaukee.
