DePaul University
Villanova
Volleyball Takes Down Villanova in Four Sets
9/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Box Score: DePaul 3, Villanova 1 
CHICAGO -- Returning to McGrath-Phillips Arena for the first time in almost three weeks, the DePaul volleyball team defeated Villanova, 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21). The Blue Demons move to 2-1 in BIG EAST play and 8-7 overall, while the Wildcats drop to 2-2 in conference play and 11-6 overall.
Brittany Maxwell showed up big for the Blue Demons on both sides of play. The sophomore finished with a match-high 19 kills, six digs and a match-high five total blocks.
Jasmine King closed the night with 15 kills and four blocks, while Caitlyn Coffey recorded 10 kills and four blocks.
For the fourth match in a row, Colleen Smith registered a double-double at 47 assists and 10 digs.
It was a hectic start to the match in McGrath-Phillips Arena. DePaul secured the first four points before the two sides went back and forth on the scoreboard. Myah Reed put the Blue Demons up by six at 12-6 when she secured a kill, set up by Smith. DePaul went up by eight shortly after and forced a Villanova timeout. The Wildcats claimed four of the next six points coming out of the timeout. With the score set at 24-19, King was able to find enough space for a kill and give DePaul the first set.
The second set saw both sides reach a 5-5 tie at the start. With Coffey serving, DePaul won four straight points. Villanova slowly made its way back into the set and cut the deficit to just one at 21-20. Maxwell jumpstarted a 4-0 rally that set the Blue Demons up for set point and she clinched the set on a kill to give DePaul the 2-0 lead.
An early lead helped Villanova to begin the third set with momentum, but DePaul overcame the four-point deficit to tie the frame at 11-all. The set saw three more ties with the latest at 20-20 after a DePaul service error. Villanova found a late push and won the set by securing five of the final six points.
In the fourth set, DePaul grabbed the early lead and never gave it up. A total of seven ties made for the closest set of the evening. A Villanova service ace late in the set gave the match its final tie of the evening at 19-19. DePaul responded by taking the next three points and forcing a Wildcat timeout. The Blue Demons closed the evening on Maxwell's 19th kill of the night, giving DePaul the win.
DePaul is back in action on Saturday when it takes on Georgetown on the BIG EAST Digital Network. The match between the Blue Demons and Hoyas is set to start at 6 p.m. CT.
