Blue Demons Stumble Against Connecticut
11/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
CHICAGO The DePaul volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-12) BIG EAST Conference volleyball match to Connecticut, Friday at McGrath Arena. The Huskies have won their last seven matches and improve to 21-7 and 10-3 in conference action, while the Blue Demons fall to 6-22 and 3-10 in league play.
The Huskies used a balanced attack in their straight set win. Connecticut registered a .403 (34-5-72) attack percentage behind 26 assists from setter Annie Luhrsen. Luhrsen was one of three Huskie players to finish an attack percentage above .500, while Chauntay Mickens paced her team with eight kills.
On the other side of the net Jacie Fiedler led the Blue Demons with eight kills and a team-high .636 clip. The Blue Demons, who were unable to find an offensive rhythm throughout the match, hit a dismal .069 (29-23-87).
Connecticut dominated the first set with big swings and hit a match-high .478 (12-1-23). Tied at five, the Huskies went on a 13-5 run to control the tempo of the frame and force the Blue Demons to use both their timeouts. Down 18-11, the Blue Demons played much better, however the deficit was too much to overcome as the Huskies won the first stanza 25-17.
The Blue Demons began to click offensively and swung for 13 kills and a .171 attack percentage in the second set. However, the Huskies continued to find the wood and capitalized on unforced DePaul errors to win the stanza 25-18. Connecticut hit for a .367 (13-2-30) clip and recorded three service aces in the set. Kate Letcher led the Blue Demon effort and paced the floor with five kills in the stanza.
The third set was highlighted with several long rallies but the Huskies ability to terminate the ball prevailed as they won the final stanza 25-12.
DePaul’s defensive came through with 29 digs, with Sarah Cullen pacing the team with eight. Christy Landschoot finished with six digs and dished out 23 assists.
DePaul closes out the 2008 season with a 2 p.m. BIG EAST match versus St. John’s. The Blue Demons will celebrate Senior Day and honor Caitlin Callaghan prior to the first serve. Callaghan, a four-year letterwinner, enters the match with 835 career digs.