Zidek Adds a Pair of Transfers for 2022

CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball head coach Marie Zidek announced on Monday the addition of a pair of impact transfers to the DePaul program for the 2022 season.

Joining the Blue Demons beginning in January are Maggie Jones and Connie LeBel.

Jones lands in Lincoln Park after playing her first collegiate season at North Carolina State as a setter. In 2021, Jones saw action in 26 matches and made three starts for the Wolfpack. The Cincinnati, Ohio native dished out 328 assists while picking up 85 digs and recording nine service aces. Jones posted a career-high 50 assists in a 3-1 win over Georgia on Sept. 16.

Prior to her time in Raleigh, Jones was a four-year letterwinner at Seton High School where she stands as the program's all-time assists leader in the rally-scoring era with over 1,500 career assists. Jones was a two-time All-Conference selection while earning All-District team and AVCA-All-Region honors in 2020. Jones was named to PrepVolleyball watch list for three-consecutive years and landed on the AVCA Phenom List.

"I had the chance to watch Maggie a lot during her youth career as her club team was one of the stronger club teams of her age group. She's the type of player that you enjoy following through college even if they don't end up playing for your team because of the fire, athleticism, and explosiveness she brought to her game as a setter," said Zidek.

"Maggie's best skill is getting the most out of her attackers as well as her own net play. She will add tremendous depth to our setting spot, not only by what she brings in her own game, but by her leadership qualities and how this will translate to getting more out of others. I am excited to add her to our setter mix along with Ashley and Phoenix – it's a really strong grouping of cognitive setters that are great athletes and multi-skilled volleyball players. I know the competition will be fierce and the training will be very excitable with this group leading the offense."

LeBel returns home to Chicago after playing one season at Division II Ferris State. An outside hitter, LeBel, played primarily in the back row for the 2021 GLIAC Champion Bulldogs. LeBel saw action in 31 matches and played 91 sets while collecting 123 digs. LeBel posted 21 kills and nine service aces as the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional.

A former standout at Mother McAuley, LeBel was named the 2020 Southtown Girls Volleyball Player of the Year while also being honored on the All-Area First Team. In all three years of high school competition, LeBel was named to the GCAC All-Conference Team and the GCAC All-Academic Team.

"I am thrilled to bring Connie back home to Chicago. She fits our current player DNA well in that she's a tenacious competitor and can play multiple positions" Zidek noted.

"As this team continues to reach for higher potentials this fall and beyond, we need players like Connie in our gym who are multi-skilled, self-motivated, passionate about learning the game, and true team players. What I am most excited for in Connie is to see what she can do in our training gym. She's used to having to battle as the 'undersized player', and no doubt she will continue that mindset here at DePaul. Someone this motivated, she will certainly impact the depth we have at outside, and I'm excited to see how that elevates the group as a whole."

Jones and LeBel join three incoming freshman that signed to be Blue Demons in the fall.

DePaul University Athletics

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