DePaul Sweeps UIC to Claim Chicago Cup Title

Saturday, September 18

Evanston, Ill.

5:30 P.M. CT

DePaul University

7-5,0-0Big East

UIC

4-8,0-0Horizon

UIC

DePaul

9/18/2021 7:30:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Blue Demons claim victories over all three city adversaries

EVANSTON, Ill. – DePaul volleyball earned Windy City bragging rights on Saturday evening after sweeping UIC and claiming the Chicago Cup crown.

The Blue Demons shook off the competition, surrendering just two sets through three matches on the weekend.

Set scores of the match were 25-18, 26-24, 25-14.

Jill Pressly led the offensive effort for DePaul with 12 kills at a .308 clip while Donna Brown added seven kills on 12 swings for a .583 attack efficiency. Right sides Emma Price and Bailey Nelson knocked in six kills apiece with Nelson putting up five blocks.

Rachel Krasowski picked up a match-high 24 digs while Ashley Cudiamat and Molly Murrihy tallied 18 and 14 helpers, respectively.

Brown was named Chicago Cup MVP, while Nelson and Krasowski earned All-Tournament Team honors.

The Flames were packed by Paola Santiago's 10 kills.

How it Happened:

Set One – Both sides traded points early in the first until the Blue Demons used a 4-0 run to take a 16-13 advantage. The Blue Demons utilized another four point run to widen their lead to 24-17, before a Flames service error gave DePaul a set one victory. Pressly tallied six kills in the first frame while Krasowski picked up 10 digs.

Set Two – DePaul took an early 8-5 lead, but the Flames weren't going away easy as both teams stood knotted at eight apiece. Four consecutive UIC errors gave the Blue Demons a 15-11 lead before the Flames came right back with a 4-0 run of their own. Pressly put down her ninth kill of the afternoon before Price terminated from the right side to put DePaul up 21-18. UIC brushed off a DePaul set point, before a Brown kill followed by a Murrihy and Brown block clinched the second set for the Blue Demons.

Set Three – The Blue Demons jumped out to a 7-2 advantage and led by as many as eight at 18-10. The Flames tried to creep back in after a 3-0 run brought the score to 18-13, but the Blue Demons slammed the door and took the third set 25-14 and claimed the match.

From Head Coach Marie Zidek: Statement weekend for this group. To beat three really good teams heading into conference is a great confidence boost as we enter BIG EAST play. We had been focused on sustained play, heating up at the right moments, and staying the aggressor and today was a major team effort in playing back-to-back matches. Super proud of this team and everybody's contributions. Most importantly, we were able to turn points when they mattered. Looking forward to maintaining this gear and reaching even higher in BIG EAST play.

Up Next: The Blue Demons will open BIG EAST play on the road, Sept. 24-25, with matches at Georgetown and Villanova.

For all of the latest on DePaul Women's Volleyball, stay tuned to depaulbluedemons.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.