DePaul University Athletics
DePaul To Take On Bradley
9/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
CHICAGO – The Blue Demons travel to Peoria this Wednesday to face Bradley (9-3) at the Robertson Memorial Field House. With Blue Demon starter Katie Engel back from an injury, the team is geared up to take on the Braves. DePaul looks to use their middles and their blocking to carry the team to victory.
“I’ve been very pleased with our middles. They’re playing at a really high level,” says Coach Dockstader. “Lara Marks put up incredible numbers last weekend.” Marks had 23 kills and earned an outstanding .543 hitting average against Loyola-Chicago.
“We need more production from our outsides in order to take some of the load off of Marks and Goreham and so that we’re not so easy to defend. We need to get our outsides and right sides to contribute offensively.”
The Blue Demons have certainly proved themselves a defensive force at the net this year and look to take advantage of it against Bradley.
“I’m happy with our blocking right now. This is definitely the best blocking team I’ve had in the last few years.”
The Blue Demons have set significant goals for the Bradley game, but playing the Braves won’t be easy.
“Bradley is a very good team,” says Dockstader. “They’re disciplined defensively and run a lot of offensive crossing patterns. We’re definitely going to have to step up and play hard from the very first rally.”
Bradley is coached by Scott Luster in his fifth season with the team. The Braves posted a 24-8 record in last year’s season and are currently 4-0 in conference. Their offense is led by Jenna Passman and Stephanie Behrns. Passman, a junior middle, has notched 156 kills and a hitting percentage of .392. She’s served eight aces this year and racked up 49 blocks. Behrns, senior outside hitter, has given Bradley 143 kills and leads her team in digs with 134. Senior Amelie Rodrigue runs the offense for the Braves and in last Friday’s match against Creighton, she dished out 55 assists in four games.
The match begins at 7p.m.
