The Marquette women’s volleyball team (21-5, 13-1 Big East) clinched a share of the Big East title last weekend, going on the road and knocking off Seton Hall Friday and St. John’s Sunday.

For coach Bond Shymansky, the title was the product of hard work and dedication from his staff and players during his five-year tenure. Even so, he isn’t satisfied and wants his team to finish the job.

“We’re still at that important distinction of saying we have a share of the title,” Shymansky said. “That’s honestly not one of our goals. We feel like we have to come out this weekend to truly realize the goal of being outright champs.”

The penultimate step in Marquette’s journey to a share of the regular season title took place Friday against Seton Hall in New Jersey. The Pirates battled the Golden Eagles for five hard sets, but Marquette emerged with its 12th victory of the conference season. No set was decided by more than five points in the 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 24-26, 15-11 contest.

“Every year we go out there, we end up going five sets,” Shymansky said. “It’s like death and taxes: an inevitability. It usually goes down the same way.”

The Pirates kept the match close by outhitting the Golden Eagles .285 to .261 and getting a triple-double (14 kills, 48 assists and 11 digs) from junior setter Shelbey Manthorpe. The Hall also got 17 kills apiece from junior outside hitter Stacey Manthorpe and freshman outside hitter Danielle Schroeder. Freshman outside hitter Autumn Bailey led Marquette with 20 kills, but hit just .245. Junior right side hitter Lindsey Gosh was much more efficient, notching 15 kills while hitting .406.

“This is part of having a young team and it’s part of having a long season,” Shymansky said. “Any way you can win on the road is a good win.”

Marquette righted the ship Sunday afternoon in New York when it swept St. John’s 25-23, 25-16, 25-23. Shymansky was impressed with how his team played motivated volleyball after nearly letting Friday’s match slip away.

“We were glad to rebound well against St. John’s at their place on Sunday,” he said. “It’s always tough when you’re playing someone on senior night. There’s a lot of emotion that goes into that. Finishing out a 3-0 victory there was really good for our group.”

Bailey led the Golden Eagles in kills yet again Sunday with 18, but her efficiency remained roughly the same (.240). Redshirt freshman middle hitter Meghan Niemann played the role of efficient hitter for Marquette Sunday, as she racked up 10 kills on just 14 swings and hit .643. The Golden Eagles were able to neutralize Big East leading hitter Karin Palgutova, who had 16 kills in the first matchup between the two teams a week prior. The sophomore outside hitter had just six kills and hit .107.

Shymansky thought his team did a great job grasping the significance of securing the win.

“Though it doesn’t feel like a championship-caliber match, it’s still a championship-caliber moment,” Shymansky said. “The adjustment really happened between the ears.”

With just two games to go, Marquette can clinch the outright Big East regular season title Friday with a victory over second place Xavier. The Golden Eagles will wrap up the 2013 conference campaign on senior night Saturday when Butler comes to town.

“That senior group is great,” Shymansky said. “They ought to have tons of pride for the long-term process of what we’ve been able to build. It’s been a slow but steady climb to the top of the league. They should feel like they are a huge, foundational part of that.”