DePaul University Athletics
Demons Fall to Bradley in Four Games
10/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
CHICAGO -- DePaul volleyball dropped a four-game match to Bradley 30-25, 30-17, 19-30, 30-24 Tuesday evening at the Athletic Center. The loss snaps the Blue Demons three-game winning streak and drops DePaul to 16-5 on the season.
"We got beat by a better team," said head coach Dawn Dockstader. "I have nothing but the utmost respect for Bradley. They lost a great player over the weekend and still played hard. They played to win while we played not to lose."
Game one featured several lead changes but saw Bradley pull away at the end to secure the victory. With the Demons trailing 19-18, the Braves wento on a 10-3 run en route to a 30-25 victory.
The Braves kept the momentum from its game one victory going in game two. Bradley used an 8-0 run and a 5-0 run to help bury the Blue Demons winning the game 30-17.
DePaul came out hot in the third game and buried the Braves 30-17. The Blue Demons opened up an 11 point margin at 27-16 after going on a 6-0 run. The teams traded points the rest of the way and DePaul cut the Braves lead to two games to one. Senior Christa Dirr led the Blue Demons with six kills in the game.
The final game was a carbon copy of game one. The teams went back-and-forth playing to a 20-20 tie. Bradley went on to score seven of the next nine points to take a 27-22 lead. The Braves hung on the rest of the way to close out the game and the match 30-24.
Dirr finished with a match-high 21 kills while hitting a .462. Senior Mary Anne Flanigan led the Blue Demons defensively with 15 digs.
Dockstader said, "Christa (Dirr) played her best offensive match in a Blue Demon uniform. She was unstoppable tonight. Flan (Flanigan) played the best defense she has played all year. She added a defensive spark."
Sophomore Jenna Passman and junior Stephanie Behrns recorded 19 kills for the Braves and junior Amelie Rodrigue compiled 23 digs. Bradley improves to 15-6 on the season.
The Blue Demons host Saint Louis on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Memphis on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in two critical Conference USA match-ups.
