Blue Demons Sweep Chicago State
10/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
CHICAGO-- Freshmen Charla Drabant and Jacie Fielder led the DePaul volleyball team to an impressive 3-0 (30-21, 30-24, 30-17) victory over Chicago State Tuesday at McGrath Arena. The win snaps the Blue Demons three-match losing streak as they improve to 6-16 on the season, while the Cougars fall to 4-20.
Freshman setter Christy Landschoot piloted DePaul to a season-high .345 attack percentage as she dished out 43 assists and found her favorite targets in Fielder and Drabant. Fiedler directed the Blue Demon's offensive with a .688 hitting percentage on 12 kills and added a team-high four total blocks to the cause. Drabant followed with a .464 attack percentage and paced the floor with 14 kills.
The Blue Demons strolled to s 30-21 game one victory behind 17 kills and a blistering .375 attack percentage. DePaul established itself early in the game as sophomore outside hitter Sarah Cullen served four straight points and the Blue Demons jumped out to a 6-3 advantage. Led by Fiedler's six kills, DePaul tamed the Cougars as they never got closer than four points late in game. Looking for the Blue Demon's final point, Landschoot found junior outside hitter Caitlin Callaghan, who terminated the ball to end the set.
Chicago State jumped out to an early 6-4 lead in game two, but the Blue Demons settled into their offensive rhythm and tied the game at seven. After taking a 9-8 lead on a Drabant kill, Landschoot served four straight points to give DePaul a 13-8 advantage. The Blue Demons extended their lead to nine points on a Fiedler service ace; but the Cougars did not surrender as they strung together a 7-2 run to pull within four at 27-23. Senior middle blocker Stacy Pando entered the game and gave the Blue Demons a boost in the final points as she terminated a kill and served up an ace to give DePaul game point. Drabant followed and smashed her sixth kill of the game to award DePaul a 30-24 victory.
The Blue Demons never trailed in the final set as they cruised to a 30-17 victory behind a sweltering .400 team attack percentage and five total blocks. Freshman middle blocker Kate Letcher, Cullen, Fiedler, Drabant and Landschoot all assisted on at least one block, while sophomore Ashley Graham tallied a solo block.
Defensively Cullen led the Blue Demons with eight digs, while Drabant and freshman libero Caroline Gajzler each chipped in seven.
Jennifer Hoffman led Chicago Sate with 13 kills and a .385 attack percentage.
The Blue Demons hit the road for the final time this season as they travel to BIG EAST Conference rivals No. 23 St. John's and Connecticut on Oct. 26 and Oct. 28, respectively. Friday's match with the Red Storm is slated to begin at 6 p.m. (CST) while Sunday's first serve is scheduled for noon.