DePaul Meets Creighton in BIG EAST Semifinal

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - After earning their first-ever BIG EAST Tournament match win on Wednesday evening, fifth-seeded DePaul sets their sights on a BIG EAST Semifinal matchup against first-seeded Creighton on Friday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. CT. Coverage can be found on the BIG EAST Digital Network on FloSports.

This match marks the second time in program history that the Blue Demons will face the Bluejays in the conference semifinals, with the first matchup coming in 2021.

"It is a true privilege to have a chance at a ranked team and top team in the league on Friday," said head coach Marie Zidek. "As we continue to build and scratch for the next gear in this program, you have to salivate for opportunities versus the high end of our league. We are going to have to be fierce competitors on Friday and work diligently to create redzone opportunities. Firstly, we will need to win the non-statted play. We have to expect to win the tight net balls, coverage game, and long rallies. This will take competitive composure as they do not give up kills easily. Our serve must continue to disrupt offensive rhythm and we will have to be great on their outsides Sis and Martin. If we can do that and produce the same offensive numbers as we did against Xavier, there can be success. There is no doubt that we will be up for this challenge. The only match is this next one ahead of us, and we have earned the right to be equals come match time."

SCOUTING THE BLUEJAYS

Creighton earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament after posting an overall record of 25-4 (16-2 BIG EAST).
Junior Kendra Wait earned BIG EAST Player of the Year and Setter of the Year honors. Wait averages 10.26 assists per set to go along with 3.43 digs per set.
Ava Martin, Kiana Schmitt and Norah Sis were also named to the All-BIG EAST team. Sis ranks second in the conference in kills per set (3.85) while Martin follows closely behind in fourth with 3.43 kills per set. Schmitt is second in the league in blocks per set, good for 1.05.
Kristen Bernthal Booth and her staff were named BIG EAST Co-Coaching Staff of the Year. Bernthal Booth is in her 21st season in Omaha.

SERIES STUFF
Creighton leads the all-time series, 23-1. This will be the third time the Blue Demons and Bluejays meet during the 2023 campaign, with Creighton taking both matches in the regular season.

BLUE DEMON BITS

Jill Pressly recorded 24 kills and 12 digs in Wednesday's first round matchup. Pressly was a unanimous selection to the 2023 All-BIG EAST Team for the second-straight season and earned regular season honors for the fourth consecutive year. The senior leads the league in kills per set averaging 4.48, which ranks 12th in the nation.
Audrey Klemp added 20 kills with a .385 clip alongside two blocks and a dig in Wednesday's matchup with Xavier.
Senior libero Rachel Krasowski was named to the All-BIG EAST Team for the first time in her career. Krasowski tallied 18 digs on Wednesday night against Xavier and continues to lead the conference in digs with 5.00 per set, good for 21st in the country.

UP NEXT
The winner of Friday's matchup will move on to the BIG EAST Championship match on Saturday, Nov. 25. First serve is set for 1 p.m CT with coverage on FS2.

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Players Mentioned

Audrey Klemp

Rachel Krasowski

Jill Pressly