DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Volleyball Reveals 2022 Slate
7/12/2022 10:04:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Blue Demons to play 13 games at McGrath-Phillips Arena
CHICAGO — DePaul volleyball head coach Marie Zidek unveiled the 2022 fall competition schedule on Tuesday morning. The Blue Demons schedule features four non-conference tournaments to prepare for an 18-game BIG EAST slate. There are plenty of opportunities to catch Zidek and Co. in action as the Blue Demons are set to play 13 matches in Lincoln Park with an additional three contests in the Chicago area.
"This schedule is tough and balanced with competition needed to get the Fall 2022 squad prepared for the wide variety of volleyball systems played in the BIG EAST Conference. We are looking to build on the momentum from last year and solidify our spot at the top of the league – no easy feat" said Zidek. "Our non-conference schedule also provides us many opportunities to build meaningful match experience as well as a favorable RPI. Lastly, we have 10 home BIG EAST matches this year, so we are counting on Blue Demon Nation to help us make this the toughest gym in the BIG EAST to compete in. We look forward to some high level competition as we continue our championship chase."
After reaching the BIG EAST Championship for the first time in program history in 2021, DePaul will look to build on its recent success with a strong core of nine returners in addition to six newcomers. Last season, the Blue Demons posted a 19-11 overall mark and went 12-6 in league matches and took home the Chicago Cup title after taking down Northwestern for the first time in over 40 years.
The Blue Demons will begin fall competition on Saturday, August 20 with an exhibition match against Illinois State at McGrath-Phillips Arena before beginning the regular season August 26-27 at the SMU DoubleTree Invitational in Dallas, Texas. In a hometown visit for junior outside hitter Jill Pressly, DePaul will face Stephen F. Austin and the host Mustangs on Friday before closing out opening weekend with UC Irvine on Sunday, August 27.
The second weekend of non-conference action features a return to the Midwest and the Falcon Invitational Presented by Hampton Inn hosted by Bowling Green. DePaul will open the weekend with a tough test against 2021 Conference USA Champions, Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers posted a 28-2 record last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round finishing the season ranked 20th in the AVCA Coaches Poll. The Blue Demons will take on Northern Kentucky on Friday afternoon followed by the weekend finale against Bowling Green on Saturday, Sept. 3.
DePaul will open its home schedule Sept. 9-10 with the DePaul Invitational featuring Virginia Tech, Eastern Michigan and Saint Louis. The Blue Demons will host the Hokies on Friday at 7 p.m. before playing a doubleheader on Saturday featuring a meeting with the Eagles at 11 a.m. followed by the Billikens at 7 p.m.
The Chicago Cup will cap off non-conference play Sept. 16-17 where the Blue Demons will look to defend their title from a season ago. DePaul will face Northwestern on Friday afternoon with scheduled 4 p.m. first serve before meeting Loyola and UIC on Saturday. All matches are set to be played at The Flames Athletic Center.
BIG EAST action kicks off with the scarlet and blue traveling to meet Marquette on Wednesday, Sept. 21 for a 7 p.m. match at the Al McGuire Center. DePaul will host Butler on Friday, Sept. 23 for its league home opener before welcoming Providence and Connecticut to McGrath-Phillips Arena Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, respectively.
A four-match road trip begins on Oct. 7 with a visit to Seton Hall before the Blue Demons head to Queens on Oct. 8 to face St. John's. Matches at Xavier on Oct. 14 and Creighton on Oct. 16 round out the road swing.
The Blue Demons open a homestand with St. John's and Seton Hall Oct. 21-22 before hosting Marquette for a midweek match on Oct. 26. A return trip to Butler is scheduled for Oct. 30 with action from Hinkle Fieldhouse set to get underway at Noon.
November features six conference matches with four played at home including Villanova and Georgetown on Nov. 4-5 and Creighton and Xavier on the last weekend of the regular season, Nov. 18-19.
The 2022 BIG EAST Championship will be hosted in Omaha, Neb. Nov. 25-26 and DePaul will look to secure a spot in the four-team event for the second- consecutive season.
All regular season home matches will be played at McGrath-Phillips Arena and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.
