DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
4-12 (2-3BIG EAST)
Butler
5-12 (2-3BIG EAST)
Blue Demons Notch Second Consecutive BIG EAST Win Against Butler
10/3/2018 10:02:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
After dropping the second and third sets, the Blue Demons capitalized on many opportunities and defeated the Bulldogs for their second-consecutive BIG EAST win.
CHICAGO – Regardless of dropping the second and third sets, DePaul capitalized on many different opportunities, eventually leading to a win over Butler in five sets 3-2 (25-22, 12-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-11). DePaul last defeated the Bulldogs on Oct. 5, 2016. This serves as DePaul's second-consecutive BIG EAST win, improving the Blue Demons record to 4-12 (2-3 BIG EAST).
Four different DePaul sources recorded double-digit digs in the match, with Claire Anderson and Katie Dolan contributing 12-a-piece, Mattie Norris tacking on 10 and MacKenzie Savage adding a match-high 25. Anderson recorded her third double-double of the season, totaling 15 kills along with her digs.
"We are taking every match at a time and that is one thing that the team has really embraced is not looking at our overall record but every match as an opportunity to get better," said head coach Marie Zidek. "We've been telling our girls in training that we've been so close to breaking through our system and the girls have taken it upon themselves to learn faster and stay confident in their game.
"In my young head coaching career that was probably the biggest win I've had yet. It's nice when you can see the girls come out unafraid. Our girls did a really great job of staying confident in sets three, four and five.
"We will continue to take it one match at a time and like I've said from the beginning. Right now we are bringing a trust, everyone has a trust for a certain standard of consistency in their game. We are going to bring it this weekend. Marquette is good, but so are we."
The first set played even before DePaul extended its lead to 13-9 forcing the visiting Bulldogs to call a time out. Coming out of the break, Butler closed to within a point but the Blue Demons wouldn't surrender the lead until an attack error by the Bulldogs closed out a 25-20 score in favor of DePaul. Isabell De La Rosa led the Blue Demons with six kills while Emma Price added five kills in the first frame.
It was all Butler in the second set as the visitors jumped to an early lead and extended it to a 16-2 advantage. After hitting .378 as a team in the first set, DePaul couldn't get in a rhythm throughout the second set and dropped it by a score of 25-12 to even the match.
DePaul fell behind early in the third set and trailed 8-2 before reeling off five points that included a long rally that ended with a kill by Claire Anderson. The Blue Demons tied the score at 12-12 before the two sides traded points over the next five serves.
Butler regained the lead, but the Blue Demons didn't go away as back-to-back kills by Emma Price pulled DePaul to within two at 24-22. However, a service error by the Blue Demons ended the set in favor of Butler.
The fourth set saw DePaul lead throughout building an advantage of 19-12 before Butler scored five straight points to cut the deficit. Consecutive kills by Anderson and Price put DePaul up, 21-17, and the Blue Demons forced a deciding fifth game with a 25-23 score.
Kills by Donna Brown and Price opened the fifth set for the Blue Demons as a 4-1 advantage extended into an 8-2 lead after a kills by Avarie Evans-Allen and De La Rosa. Butler made a late run, but it was too little too late as Maddie Torti and Brown stuffed the final attempt for the Bulldogs to give the Blue Demons the win.
The Blue Demons will host Marquette this Saturday in a noon match at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
Live Coverage
Saturday's live stream can be viewed for free through Blue Demons All-Access. Live stats will be available here.
Social Media
For everything DePaul volleyball, follow the Blue Demons across multiple social media platforms: Twitter or Instagram. Join in the conversation using #DPUvb.
Be sure to like DePaul on Facebook and check out some of the sights and sounds around DePaul on Twitter or on Instagram.
Miss any of the action? Subscribe to the Blue Demons on Youtube.
