Luke Fischer takes center stage
Coach Steve Wojciechowski has been open that the Golden Eagles’ biggest weakness this year is a lack of post players. When Indiana transfer Luke Fischer became eligible, that deficiency was far less apparent.
The center made his Marquette debut against Arizona State, and dazzled fans with quite the first impression. Fischer went 9-for-11 from the field and changed the defensive make-up immensely with his five blocked shots. Fischer followed that up with a perfect field goal percentage against Alabama A&M.
Through seven games with the Golden Eagles, Fischer is averaging 13 points, 2.4 blocks and 5.4 rebounds with a .816 shooting percentage.
Koberstein wins McCahill Award
Former Marquette volleyball player Elizabeth Koberstein was named the McCahill Award recipient Thursday, making her the most decorated volleyball player in program history. The McCahill Award, which is in its 68th year, is awarded to the senior student-athlete who best demonstrates exceptional skills in scholarship, leadership and athletics.
Koberstein, the 2014 Big East Scholar-Athlete Sport excellence award winner for volleyball, was the third Marquette athlete in school history to be named an AVCA All-American on two occasions. She was chosen as the Big East Conference Player of the Year in 2013, finishing first in the conference in hitting percentage, assists and kills.
The award is named in honor of Robert McCahill, a Marquette football player who gave his life at Iwo Jima in World War II. It was first awarded in 1946 to basketball player William Chandler. This is the first time a volleyball player has won the award since Jamie Mueller in 2007 and only the fifth time a volleyball player has won the award.
Deonte Burton and John Dawson find new homes
Sophomores Deonte Burton and John Dawson left the program at the end of the semester and chose new schools shortly afterward. Burton became the second Marquette player – Jameel McKay was the first – to transfer to Iowa State in two years, while Dawson decided to take his talents to Liberty University.
Burton played in eight games for the Golden Eagles this season without any starts. He averaged 6.4 points and 16.1 minutes. He failed to take the step forward this season many expected, scoring half a point less than he averaged his freshman season in about four minutes less a game.
Iowa State, currently ranked 11th in the AP Top 25 poll, has enjoyed plenty of success under coach Fred Hoiberg. The Cyclones have made the NCAA tournament each of the last three seasons. His most recent squad progressed to the Sweet 16 before falling to the eventual champion Connecticut.
Dawson played in only one game for the Golden Eagles this season. He played four minutes in the season opener against Tennessee-Martin, but failed to see game action again, despite the team’s lack of active players. With the addition of two more top-ranked guards in this year’s recruiting class, Haanif Cheatham and Nick Noskowiak, Dawson’s playing time situation wasn’t likely to change.
The Liberty Flames, members of the Big South conference, are currently 6-11 and 0-4 in conference play this season. Despite not having a winning record since the 2010-2011 season, the Flames played Cinderella in the 2013 Big South conference tournament with a 87-76 victory over Charleston Southern. Liberty was eliminated in the play-in round of the NCAA tournament by North Carolina A&T.
Charlie Lyon named to Senior CLASS Award Second-team
Marquette’s redshirt senior goalkeeper made headlines this season, but the latest addition to his trophy case isn’t simply a testament to his play on the pitch. Charlie Lyon was named to the Senior CLASS Award Second-team, an honor that celebrates his accolades not only as a soccer player, but as a student and leader as well.
Lyon was selected as one of 10 finalists in October for the award, which was won by Ohio State goalkeeper Alex Ivanov. The winner was selected based on votes from fans, college coaches, and the award committee.
Lyon played in every minute of Marquette’s season, setting the program record for career shutouts and consecutive shutout minutes. He was chosen as the Big East Conference Men’s Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2013-14 season and is also a member of the Capital One Academic All-American first team.
Joining Lyon on the second team is Wisconsin-Milwaukee forward Laurie Bell, who Lyon stopped on a penalty shot in this year’s Milwaukee Cup.
