DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Notre Dame
DePaul Stumbles in BIG EAST Play
10/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Oct. 15, 2010
South Bend, Ind. - The DePaul volleyball team lost a 3-1(18-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-18) BIG EAST Conference match to Notre Dame Friday at the Joyce Center. The Blue Demons fall to 1-19 and 0-7 in the BIG EAST, while the Fighting Irish improve 12-7 and 5-2 in conference play.
The Blue Demons and the Fighting Irish battled back and forth to begin the first set. But, with the score tied at 12 DePaul went on an 8-2 run. The run was sparked by a pair of aces from Kyndell Highland and a well placed kill from Rachel Aumann. DePaul's .273 (13-4-33) team attack percentage in the first set allowed them to win 25-18.
In the second set the teams traded points until DePaul led 8-6. The Blue Demons then went on an 8-2 run that was fueled by great serves from Sammy Geiger and great team defense. The Fighting Irish would counter with a 9-1 run to tie the set at 17. DePaul won the next two points forcing Notre Dame to use a timeout. Out of the timeout the Fighting Irish would close the set with an 8-4 run.
Notre Dame used a .308 (16-4-39) team attack percentage to close out the third set 25-20. DePaul's Geiger led the Blue Demons with three kills and nine assists in the third set.
The fourth set started with the Fighting Irish jumping out to a quick 8-3 lead forcing the Blue Demons to take an early timeout. DePaul would fight back into the set and force Notre Dame to use a timeout with the score 17-15 in favor of the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame came out of the timeout and finished the match with an 8-3 run.
The Blue Demons break from league play on Sunday, Oct. 17 when they welcome SIU-Edwardsville to McGrath Arena for a 2 p.m. match.
Notes: DePaul's win in the first set broke a streak of 21-straight sets won by Notre Dame... Katherine Knutson has had double digit digs in 15 matches this season...recorded 14 digs in the match against Notre Dame ... going into the weekend DePaul is currently fourth in the BIG EAST averaging 15.08 digs per set... Chelsea Thurlby had a team season high when she totaled 33 digs against Georgia State which is the second most of any BIG EAST athlete... Freshman Chelsea Kirkpatrick has been in double digit kills seven times this season... Kirkpatrick led the team with 15 kills against Notre Dame.
