Friday, October 29
Chicago, Ill.
7:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
vs
Providence
Blue Demons Return Home to Take on Providence and No. 24 Creighton
10/28/2021 5:00:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
DePaul to host Dig Pink Match on Saturday at 6 p.m. against the Bluejays
CHICAGO – CHICAGO – The DePaul women's volleyball team is set to return home to McGrath-Phillips Arena for a pair of matches Oct. 29-30 with the Blue Demons hosting Providence and No. 24 Creighton.
Friday's match against the Friars will begin at 7 p.m. while Saturday's meeting with the Bluejays is scheduled for a 6 p.m. first serve. Both matches can be followed live on FloSports.
Demon Doings: The Blue Demons enter the back half of conference play jostling for postseason position at 5-5 in BIG EAST play and 12-10 overall. DePaul is looking to get back into the win column after dropping a pair of matches last week to league-leading Marquette in a five-set battle and UConn in a three-set setback at Gampel Pavilion.
In a balanced attack for the Blue Demons, Jill Pressly leads the way with 3.56 kills per set on the season and adds 2.94 digs per set as a six-rotation player. Graduate right side Emma Price bolsters the offense with 2.35 kills per set and is just 15 kills away from reaching 1,000 in her career. Donna Brown is a strong force in the middle, leading the team in blocks and hitting percentage at a .333 clip on the season.
Libero Rachel Krasowski paces the back row with 4.80 digs per set. Setters Ashley Cudiamat and Molly Murrihy split time directing the Blue Demon offense.
DePaul began the season 1-4 at McGrath-Phillips Arena before picking up a pair of wins over Seton Hall and St. John's Oct. 15-16. The Blue Demons will look to continue success at home this weekend.
Scouting the Competition:
Providence – The Friars are riding high after a pair of sweeps over Georgetown and Villanova last weekend. Providence is 15-8 on the season and 3-7 in conference matches. Outside hitter Shaliyah Rhoden drives the offense for PC with 286 kills on the season. Setter Allison Barber distributes the ball for the Friars with 10.50 assists per set. Maackenzie Taylot anchors the back line averaging 3.22 digs per set. Providence is 4-5 in road matches this season.
No. 24 Creighton – Creighton enters the weekend 8-2 in BIG EAST play and 20-3 on the season. The Bluejays are led by preseason All-BIG EAST selection Jaela Zimmerman who averages 3.94 kills per set to rank second in the conference to go along with 3.15 digs per set. Freshman outside hitter Norah Sis poses a threat on the outside with 3.66 kills per set while fellow rookie Kendra Wait leads the BIG EAST in assists per set at 10.58. Abby Bottomley picks up 5.04 digs per set in the back row.
Series Stuff: DePaul has won the last three matchups against the Friars including a 3-0 sweep at Alumni Hall on Oct. 10. The Blue Demons hold the advantage in the all-time series 10-5. Creighton has won 17 of 18 meetings between the two programs. The Blue Demons fell 3-0 to the Bluejays at D.J. Sokol on Friday, Oct. 10.
RPI Update: In the latest release of the NCAA RPI, a key postseason ranking metric, the Blue Demons remain steady in the top-80 at 77. The BIG EAST boasts five squads in the top 100 with Creighton and Marquette leading the way at 14 and 16, respectively. DePaul began the season with a ranking of 109.
Dig Pink: In partnership with The Side-Out foundation, DePaul is set to host its annual Dig Pink match on Saturday, Oct. 30. The Blue Demons have set out to reach a fundraising goal of $1,000 towards breast cancer research. Fans are encouraged to wear pink on match day and visit https://giving.side-out.org/campaigns/18063 to support a great cause.
From Head Coach Marie Zidek: "After two tough matches on the road, we look forward to being back home this weekend and to celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month with DIG PINK weekend. Our team has done a wonderful job competing through October and put themselves in a scenario with our remaining eight matches to control our own destiny. We look forward to welcoming Providence Friday evening. Providence is always a great opponent to play because they force you to compartmentalize your game and take care of first contact as well as access your offense consistently. Barber, their setter, continues to put them in excellent position to gain momentum and points on opponents. Saturday night we get the post season veterans in Creighton who no matter who they have on the floor have a tradition of winning at a high level. Both are excellent obstacles and opportunities for us as we start this last push of eight matches before postseason starts."
Up Next: DePaul is set to embark on a four-match road swing following this weekend's matches. The Blue Demons will head to the East Coast for a pair of matches at St. John's and Seton Hall, Nov. 5-6.
Friday's match against the Friars will begin at 7 p.m. while Saturday's meeting with the Bluejays is scheduled for a 6 p.m. first serve. Both matches can be followed live on FloSports.
Demon Doings: The Blue Demons enter the back half of conference play jostling for postseason position at 5-5 in BIG EAST play and 12-10 overall. DePaul is looking to get back into the win column after dropping a pair of matches last week to league-leading Marquette in a five-set battle and UConn in a three-set setback at Gampel Pavilion.
In a balanced attack for the Blue Demons, Jill Pressly leads the way with 3.56 kills per set on the season and adds 2.94 digs per set as a six-rotation player. Graduate right side Emma Price bolsters the offense with 2.35 kills per set and is just 15 kills away from reaching 1,000 in her career. Donna Brown is a strong force in the middle, leading the team in blocks and hitting percentage at a .333 clip on the season.
Libero Rachel Krasowski paces the back row with 4.80 digs per set. Setters Ashley Cudiamat and Molly Murrihy split time directing the Blue Demon offense.
DePaul began the season 1-4 at McGrath-Phillips Arena before picking up a pair of wins over Seton Hall and St. John's Oct. 15-16. The Blue Demons will look to continue success at home this weekend.
Scouting the Competition:
Providence – The Friars are riding high after a pair of sweeps over Georgetown and Villanova last weekend. Providence is 15-8 on the season and 3-7 in conference matches. Outside hitter Shaliyah Rhoden drives the offense for PC with 286 kills on the season. Setter Allison Barber distributes the ball for the Friars with 10.50 assists per set. Maackenzie Taylot anchors the back line averaging 3.22 digs per set. Providence is 4-5 in road matches this season.
No. 24 Creighton – Creighton enters the weekend 8-2 in BIG EAST play and 20-3 on the season. The Bluejays are led by preseason All-BIG EAST selection Jaela Zimmerman who averages 3.94 kills per set to rank second in the conference to go along with 3.15 digs per set. Freshman outside hitter Norah Sis poses a threat on the outside with 3.66 kills per set while fellow rookie Kendra Wait leads the BIG EAST in assists per set at 10.58. Abby Bottomley picks up 5.04 digs per set in the back row.
Series Stuff: DePaul has won the last three matchups against the Friars including a 3-0 sweep at Alumni Hall on Oct. 10. The Blue Demons hold the advantage in the all-time series 10-5. Creighton has won 17 of 18 meetings between the two programs. The Blue Demons fell 3-0 to the Bluejays at D.J. Sokol on Friday, Oct. 10.
RPI Update: In the latest release of the NCAA RPI, a key postseason ranking metric, the Blue Demons remain steady in the top-80 at 77. The BIG EAST boasts five squads in the top 100 with Creighton and Marquette leading the way at 14 and 16, respectively. DePaul began the season with a ranking of 109.
Dig Pink: In partnership with The Side-Out foundation, DePaul is set to host its annual Dig Pink match on Saturday, Oct. 30. The Blue Demons have set out to reach a fundraising goal of $1,000 towards breast cancer research. Fans are encouraged to wear pink on match day and visit https://giving.side-out.org/campaigns/18063 to support a great cause.
From Head Coach Marie Zidek: "After two tough matches on the road, we look forward to being back home this weekend and to celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month with DIG PINK weekend. Our team has done a wonderful job competing through October and put themselves in a scenario with our remaining eight matches to control our own destiny. We look forward to welcoming Providence Friday evening. Providence is always a great opponent to play because they force you to compartmentalize your game and take care of first contact as well as access your offense consistently. Barber, their setter, continues to put them in excellent position to gain momentum and points on opponents. Saturday night we get the post season veterans in Creighton who no matter who they have on the floor have a tradition of winning at a high level. Both are excellent obstacles and opportunities for us as we start this last push of eight matches before postseason starts."
Up Next: DePaul is set to embark on a four-match road swing following this weekend's matches. The Blue Demons will head to the East Coast for a pair of matches at St. John's and Seton Hall, Nov. 5-6.
Players Mentioned
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/ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
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RS
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