DePaul University Athletics
Friday, September 21
Omaha, Neb.
7:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
at
Creighton
DePaul Volleyball Initiates BIG EAST Play
9/20/2018 10:35:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Marie Zidek enters her first BIG EAST weekend since being an assistant coach at DePaul from 2010-12.
CHICAGO – With a clean slate and an opportunity to apply lessons learned from the trials and errors of non-conference play, the DePaul volleyball team assertively marches into their first weekend of BIG EAST contests under the new coaching staff. The Blue Demons will open their 2018 conference stint on Friday, Sept. 21 as they travel to No. 10 Creighton for a 7:00 p.m. match. With an off day Saturday, the team will relocate to find themselves in Rhode Island for a noon match against Providence on Sunday, Sept. 23.
As head coach Marie Zidek enters her first BIG EAST weekend since her time as an assistant volleyball coach at DePaul from 2010-12, she earnestly embraces the competition to come in the 2018 season.
"The team Is excited to start the BIG EAST Conference season," said Zidek. "All Fall camp, we have been talking about how pre-season is supposed to prepare us for conference play. This team took big steps forward this pre-season and we are super confident in our game right now.
"The practice gym has been intense this week and players have continued growing as volleyball athletes. As we enter the weekend, everybody is 0-0 and has a fresh slate.
"We look forward to the opportunity to play two very competitive teams this weekend in Creighton and Providence and to start our journey in this conference.
"We respect everybody and we fear no one."
Last Time Vs. Creighton
Towards the conclusion of the 2018 season, the then ranked No. 14 Creighton swept DePaul 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-16). Brittany Maxwell led in kills with 24 and Maddie Torti came in a close second with 21.
Scouting The Bluejays
Creighton went 8-4 in non-conference play last year after defeating No. 5 Kentucky, Northern Iowa, NC State, Iowa State and Wichita State. They were downed by Northern Iowa, No. 7 Nebraska, No. 10 USC and No. 8 Illinois.
The Bluejays return three All-Americans, Senior outside hitter Jaali Winters and Taryn Kloth, including 2017 BIG EAST Libero of the Year Brittany Witt. Each of them were named Preseason All-BIG EAST for the 2018 season.
Creighton was picked to finish second in the BIG EAST Conference.
Last Time Vs. Providence
In their last 2017 contest against Providence, the Blue Demons fell in three, 0-3 (20-25, 22-25, 24-26). Brittany Maxwell took home her sixth double-double of the season, racking up 10 kills and 21 digs. Isabelle Banez earned ten digs and Katie Dolan led DePaul in the assist category, contributing 10.
Scouting The Friars
The Friars currently sit at a record of 6-5 after falling 3-2 to Bryant University in their most recent match to end non-conference play.
Providence returns senior Allison Impellizeri who leads Friar attacks this season with 131 kills, and her 3.36 kill per set average ranks sixth in the BIG EAST. Also returning are juniors Addison Root, Jenae Alderon and Lindsey Schaible, who have all added at least 50 kills. Schaible has racked up 13 service aces and her 0.33 service aces per set rank fourth in the BIG EAST.
Live Coverage
Friday's match at Creighton will be streamed live through Fox Sports Go. Live stats can be viewed here.
For Sunday's match against Providence, live video can be viewed through Friars All-Access. Live stats can be viewed 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.
As head coach Marie Zidek enters her first BIG EAST weekend since her time as an assistant volleyball coach at DePaul from 2010-12, she earnestly embraces the competition to come in the 2018 season.
"The team Is excited to start the BIG EAST Conference season," said Zidek. "All Fall camp, we have been talking about how pre-season is supposed to prepare us for conference play. This team took big steps forward this pre-season and we are super confident in our game right now.
"The practice gym has been intense this week and players have continued growing as volleyball athletes. As we enter the weekend, everybody is 0-0 and has a fresh slate.
"We look forward to the opportunity to play two very competitive teams this weekend in Creighton and Providence and to start our journey in this conference.
"We respect everybody and we fear no one."
Last Time Vs. Creighton
Towards the conclusion of the 2018 season, the then ranked No. 14 Creighton swept DePaul 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-16). Brittany Maxwell led in kills with 24 and Maddie Torti came in a close second with 21.
Scouting The Bluejays
Creighton went 8-4 in non-conference play last year after defeating No. 5 Kentucky, Northern Iowa, NC State, Iowa State and Wichita State. They were downed by Northern Iowa, No. 7 Nebraska, No. 10 USC and No. 8 Illinois.
The Bluejays return three All-Americans, Senior outside hitter Jaali Winters and Taryn Kloth, including 2017 BIG EAST Libero of the Year Brittany Witt. Each of them were named Preseason All-BIG EAST for the 2018 season.
Creighton was picked to finish second in the BIG EAST Conference.
Last Time Vs. Providence
In their last 2017 contest against Providence, the Blue Demons fell in three, 0-3 (20-25, 22-25, 24-26). Brittany Maxwell took home her sixth double-double of the season, racking up 10 kills and 21 digs. Isabelle Banez earned ten digs and Katie Dolan led DePaul in the assist category, contributing 10.
Scouting The Friars
The Friars currently sit at a record of 6-5 after falling 3-2 to Bryant University in their most recent match to end non-conference play.
Providence returns senior Allison Impellizeri who leads Friar attacks this season with 131 kills, and her 3.36 kill per set average ranks sixth in the BIG EAST. Also returning are juniors Addison Root, Jenae Alderon and Lindsey Schaible, who have all added at least 50 kills. Schaible has racked up 13 service aces and her 0.33 service aces per set rank fourth in the BIG EAST.
Live Coverage
Friday's match at Creighton will be streamed live through Fox Sports Go. Live stats can be viewed here.
For Sunday's match against Providence, live video can be viewed through Friars All-Access. Live stats can be viewed 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.
Players Mentioned
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