DePaul University Athletics
Friday, September 9
Chicago, Ill.
7:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
vs
Virginia Tech
Blue Demons Open Home Slate with DePaul Invitational
9/8/2022 10:49:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
DePaul to welcome Eastern Michigan, Saint Louis, Virginia Tech to McGrath-Phillips Arena
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball opens its home schedule Sept. 9-10 with the DePaul Invitational at McGrath-Phillips Arena featuring Eastern Michigan, Saint Louis and Virginia Tech. Lincoln Park is set to be the home for six high-level volleyball matches across a pair of days.
Schedule
Friday Sept. 9 – vs. Virginia Tech | 7 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Stream
Saturday, Sept. 10 – vs. Eastern Michigan | 11 a.m. | Live Stats | Live Stream
Saturday, Sept. 10 – vs. Saint Louis | 7 p.m. Live Stats | Live Stream
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From Head Coach Marie Zidek
"Heading into the DePaul Invite, I don't think our current record reflects how strong of a team this is and where high end is going to be. I would be careful not to write this team off just yet. We have been in multiple sets decided by 2 points against some of the top teams from leagues around the country.
Certainly, I am very proud of how we have battled and learned. Our training gym is getting after it. This will be an interesting weekend as all teams are thirsty for wins. And for all of us, this sense of urgency is starting to out-weigh the fear of failure. So, I think it's going to be excitable and competitive volleyball and a heck of a way to usher in our home court advantage that we look to build this year. Please come out and help make McGrath-Phillips Arena one of the toughest atmospheres in the country."
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Scouting the Opponents
Virginia Tech – The Hokies under third-year head coach Marci Byers land in Chicago with a 4-2 record on the young 2022 season. VT has picked up early-season wins over UNCW, Coppin State, Marist and Old Dominion after sweeping the competition at the Hokie Invitational Sept. 2-3. Senior outside hitter Cera Powell leads the Hokies attack with 59 kills (3.47 per set) through the first six matches. Grad transfer libero Maddie Slagle lead the defensive effort for Tech with 76 digs (3.80 per set) on the season.
Eastern Michigan – The Eagles head into the weekend winless at 0-6 after weekend invitationals at Michigan State and Xavier.  Freshman outside hitter Sabrina Gremm paces the EMU offense with 65 kills (2.5 per set). Middle blocker Raeven Chase has been aggressive at the net with 24 blocks in 21 sets played. Darcy Dorton is in her fourth season as head coach of the Eastern Michigan program.
Saint Louis – The Billikens enter the DePaul Invitational 4-2 with victories over Arkansas Little Rock, Arkansas State, Mississippi Valley and Youngstown State. Sophomore pin hitter Mak Hill is averaging 3.00 kills per set for SLU while freshman pin hitter follows behind with 2.38 kills per set. Libero Carlie Rodgers leads the Billikens defensive effort with 5.25 digs per set. Head Coach Kent Miller is in his 12th season at the helm of the Billikens program.
Series Stuff
The Blue Demons lead the all-time series with Virginia Tech, 3-0, and will face the Hokies for the first time since 1994. DePaul has met Eastern Michigan five times in program history and have won just once with a 3-1 victory coming in 2019. Old foes will meet once again when the Billikens and Blue Demons clash for the 34th time on Friday night. DePaul holds the slight edge 17-16 with the most recent meeting in 2017 going the way of the Blue Demons 3-1. Â
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Up Next
Following the DePaul Invitational, the Blue Demons will stay local for the annual Chicago Cup hosted by UIC, Sept. 16-17. The reigning Chicago Cup champions will face Northwestern, Loyola and host Flames across the two-day event.
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Schedule
Friday Sept. 9 – vs. Virginia Tech | 7 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Stream
Saturday, Sept. 10 – vs. Eastern Michigan | 11 a.m. | Live Stats | Live Stream
Saturday, Sept. 10 – vs. Saint Louis | 7 p.m. Live Stats | Live Stream
Â
From Head Coach Marie Zidek
"Heading into the DePaul Invite, I don't think our current record reflects how strong of a team this is and where high end is going to be. I would be careful not to write this team off just yet. We have been in multiple sets decided by 2 points against some of the top teams from leagues around the country.
Certainly, I am very proud of how we have battled and learned. Our training gym is getting after it. This will be an interesting weekend as all teams are thirsty for wins. And for all of us, this sense of urgency is starting to out-weigh the fear of failure. So, I think it's going to be excitable and competitive volleyball and a heck of a way to usher in our home court advantage that we look to build this year. Please come out and help make McGrath-Phillips Arena one of the toughest atmospheres in the country."
Â
Scouting the Opponents
Virginia Tech – The Hokies under third-year head coach Marci Byers land in Chicago with a 4-2 record on the young 2022 season. VT has picked up early-season wins over UNCW, Coppin State, Marist and Old Dominion after sweeping the competition at the Hokie Invitational Sept. 2-3. Senior outside hitter Cera Powell leads the Hokies attack with 59 kills (3.47 per set) through the first six matches. Grad transfer libero Maddie Slagle lead the defensive effort for Tech with 76 digs (3.80 per set) on the season.
Eastern Michigan – The Eagles head into the weekend winless at 0-6 after weekend invitationals at Michigan State and Xavier.  Freshman outside hitter Sabrina Gremm paces the EMU offense with 65 kills (2.5 per set). Middle blocker Raeven Chase has been aggressive at the net with 24 blocks in 21 sets played. Darcy Dorton is in her fourth season as head coach of the Eastern Michigan program.
Saint Louis – The Billikens enter the DePaul Invitational 4-2 with victories over Arkansas Little Rock, Arkansas State, Mississippi Valley and Youngstown State. Sophomore pin hitter Mak Hill is averaging 3.00 kills per set for SLU while freshman pin hitter follows behind with 2.38 kills per set. Libero Carlie Rodgers leads the Billikens defensive effort with 5.25 digs per set. Head Coach Kent Miller is in his 12th season at the helm of the Billikens program.
Series Stuff
The Blue Demons lead the all-time series with Virginia Tech, 3-0, and will face the Hokies for the first time since 1994. DePaul has met Eastern Michigan five times in program history and have won just once with a 3-1 victory coming in 2019. Old foes will meet once again when the Billikens and Blue Demons clash for the 34th time on Friday night. DePaul holds the slight edge 17-16 with the most recent meeting in 2017 going the way of the Blue Demons 3-1. Â
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Up Next
Following the DePaul Invitational, the Blue Demons will stay local for the annual Chicago Cup hosted by UIC, Sept. 16-17. The reigning Chicago Cup champions will face Northwestern, Loyola and host Flames across the two-day event.
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Highlights: DePaul Volleyball at Loyola Chicago
Sunday, September 21
Highlights: Volleyball at Milwaukee
Wednesday, September 17
Highlights: Volleyball vs. Chicago State
Sunday, September 14
Highlights: Volleyball vs. Missouri State
Sunday, September 14