DePaul Welcomes Butler to Chicago for a Pair of Matches

Friday, February 26

Chicago, Ill.

3:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

Butler

DePaul Welcomes Butler to Chicago for a Pair of Matches

2/24/2021 3:12:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Live Video (Friday)Live Video (Saturday)Live Stats DePaul Notes

Blue Demons look for first win against Butler since 2018 season

CHICAGO – DePaul continues its four-game stretch at McGrath-Phillips Arena when it welcomes Butler to town for a pair of matches on Friday and Saturday.

First serve for Friday, Feb. 26 is set for 3 p.m. CT while Saturday's start time is slated for 2 p.m.

Live video coverage of both matches can be found at www.depaulbluedemons.com/watch with Tyler Aki on the call. Live stats can be found on the DePaul Volleyball schedule page.

"Butler is a lot like us this year – important returning staples with a lot of new players finding their ways sprinkled in that creates a somewhat new team look. The returners know how much playing Butler means to us as they've snake bit us in 5 the past couple of years, and the newcomers have certainly proven that they are up for supporting the team in any challenge" said Head Coach Marie Zidek ahead of the weekend series.

"Melody Davidson has been a force defensively in this conference since she's come in, so we will have to bring our top game on offense in order to continue our offensive groove that we've found. It's going to be a fun battle for our squad and we look forward to this next opportunity to continue our growth during this shortened season. We must continue to get better at a faster rate than ever before, and our squad has definitely been up for that challenge thus far."

Scouting Butler: Butler (3-3) travels to Lincoln Park after picking up a midweek 3-0 sweep of Marian (NAIA). The Blue Demons will be the first BIG EAST opponent for the Bulldogs in 2021. Butler began the season with a doubleheader on Jan. 29 at Loyola, facing the Ramblers (L, 2-3) and Valparaiso (L, 0-3). The Bulldogs have also picked up wins against Bellarmine (3-2 and Indiana State (3-2). Melody Davidson leads the attack Sophomore Brittany Robinson leads the attack with 3.87 kills per set while Elana Brueggemann averages 2.83. Jaymeson Kinley has tallied 124 digs on the season and averages 5.17 per set.

Series Stuff: The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 19-9 and have won the last three meetings. DePaul's last victory came in a five-set affair on Oct. 3, 2018 at McGrath-Phillips Arena.

Last Time Out: The Blue Demons are coming off of a 3-2 victory over Xavier on Saturday, Feb. 20. The Musketeers took the first two sets, but DePaul battled back to win the ensuing three to take the match. The Blue Demons tallied a season-high 14 blocks in the match and freshman Jill Pressly led the attack with 19 kills. Freshman setter Phoenix Lee recorded her first double-double with 36 assists and 11 digs to go along with five service aces.

Thank You, Seniors: DePaul will honor its five seniors: Isabelle Banez, Isabell De La Rosa, Avarie Evans-Allen, Emma Price, and Mariah Robinson alongside student manager Julia Drozdz before Saturday's match for all of their contributions to the program.

Up Next: The Blue Demons close out the BIG EAST regular season slate with a trip to Omaha, Neb. For a pair of matches with Creighton March 5-6. First serve is set for 11 a.m. from D.J. Sokol Arena on Friday and Saturday.