Volleyball Hosts Three Opponents for DePaul Invitational

CHICAGO - The Blue Demons will play their first home match of the 2019 season as part of the DePaul Invitational, which will feature Central Michigan, Holy Cross and Valparaiso. DePaul will face CMU Friday at 7 p.m. CT and will compete in two Saturday contests against Holy Cross at 12:30 p.m. CT and Valparaiso at 8 p.m. CT. Play will take place at McGrath-Phillips Arena. A full tournament schedule including all neutral matches can be found here.

DePaul is currently 5-1 on the season after defeating all opponents in the season-opening Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational and then going 2-1 in CEFCU Invitational play. This is the best start for the Blue Demons since a successful season-opening 13-0 run in 2013.

FROM ZIDEK
"We are excited to be home this weekend after the past two weekends on the road," said head coach Marie Zidek. "Both Central Michigan and Holy Cross are in similar situations as we are in fighting to move up in their conferences and they will both play with little fear. Valpo will be a great test of a team that has been at the top of their conference for a while now and they are always well-coached and very defensive-minded.

"All three teams will provide great competition that will continue our growth mindset and preparation for BIG EAST play. It will take an entire team effort this weekend against these opponents, but this group continues to be up for the challenge and to push their improvement daily."

SERIES AGAINST CMU
DePaul is on a one-match win streak in the series against the Chippewas, defeating Central Michigan in their last meeting during 2018. Overall, the Blue Demons lead the series 4-1.

SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWAS
CMU finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 7-21. The Chippewas currently hold the same record as the Blue Demons, being 5-1 on the season. Central Michigan went 3-0 in the Terrier Classic, taking down Maryland-Eastern Shore, Saint Peter's University and NJIT. The following weekend, CMU went 2-1 in its own Chippewa Invitational, falling to UIC and topping Eastern Illinois and North Dakota State.

SERIES AGAINST HOLY CROSS
This will be the first meeting between the Blue Demons and Crusaders.

SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS
Holy Cross is 1-6 on the season after falling to Wichita State, Penn State and Hofstra in the Penn State Classic. The following weekend, the Crusaders fell to New Hampshire, Seattle U and Brown at the Holly Young Invitational. Holy Cross would then win a single match against Merrimack in three sets.

SERIES AGAINST VALPARAISO
DePaul holds a narrow 18-14 lead in the series against Valparaiso and has dropped the last eight contests between the two, with the most recent being in 2018.

SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS
Valpo is 3-4 on the season after going 2-1 at the Hampton Inn Invitational with wins over Murray State and IUPUI and a loss against South Dakota. The Crusaders then dropped in a lone contest against Notre Dame before going 1-2 at the Golden Flashes Classic, topping Idaho State and falling to Kent State and Robert Morris.

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DePaul University Athletics

Volleyball Hosts Three Opponents for DePaul Invitational

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