DePaul University
South Dakota
DePaul Opens Season at Cardinal & Gold Challenge
8/25/2023 12:07:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Blue Demons set to take on South Dakota and Iowa State
CHICAGO - DePaul volleyball begins their 2023 season at the Cardinal & Gold Challenge in Ames, Iowa on Aug. 26-27. The Blue Demons open up competition against South Dakota on Saturday at 2 p.m., followed by a match-up with the host, Iowa State, on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
"We are excited to open with South Dakota and Iowa State," said head coach Marie Zidek. "Both present opportunities for us to continue our pursuit of holding a higher game for longer periods of time. South Dakota plays with incredible rhythm and motor and Iowa State has the ability to win a lot through their block and D. We will have to serve tough, defend and play extend, and we will need to take risks when our arms get back on the ball. It sets up to be a very exciting weekend for DePaul Volleyball and an excellent first chapter in what is our 2023 Season."
SCOUTING THE COYOTES
- South Dakota returns 13 letterwinners from the 2022 squad that finished with a 29-4 overall record and won the Summit League regular season and tournament championships.Â
- The Coyotes advanced to their fourth NCAA Tournament in five seasons, but fell to then-No. 23 Houston in the First Round of action.Â
- The team is led by seniors Madison Harms and Evelyn Diederich, both of which were named to the Summit League Preseason Players to Watch. Harms is a three-time All-Summit league selection and is the second Coyote in program history to record 500 blocks. Diederich concluded her 2022 campaign with 205 kills, 49 digs and 25 block assists.
- The Coyotes were picked to finish first in the Summit League preseason poll this season.Â
- Head coach Leanne Williamson is entering her tenth season at the helm of the Coyotes program.Â
SCOUTING THE CYCLONES
- Iowa State concluded the 2022 season with a 20-12 record, the first 20 win season since 2018.
- The Cyclones advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. They defeated FGCU in the first round, but fell to No. 3 seeded Florida in their second round of action.
- The squad returns 12 letterwinners from last season, including Maya Duckworth. Duckworth tallied 311 kills last season, averaging 2.7 kills per set. She was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team and earned AVCA All-Region First Team.Â
- The Cyclones earned votes in the first AVCA poll of the season.
- Head Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch is in her 19th season leading the Cyclones and is the reigning AVCA Regional Coach of the Year.
SERIES STUFF
The Blue Demons lead the series against the Coyotes, 1-0. The lone matchup was in 2011 and was a 3-2 victory.Â
DePaul and Iowa State have an even series record at 4-4. The last matchup between the programs was March 13, 2021 when DePaul earned a 3-1 win.Â
BLUE DEMON BITS
- DePaul returns 13 letterwinners from the 2022 team and welcomes four newcomers to Lincoln Park. Of the four newcomers, there are three freshmen and one graduate transfer.Â
- Senior Jill Pressly was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team for the second consecutive season after leading the attack last season for the Blue Demons with 4.03 kills per set.Â
- Senior Rachel Krasowski ranked second in the BIG EAST with 582 (4.97 digs/set) during the 2022 season, the most in a single season in program history.
- Head Coach Marie Zidek enters her sixth season leading the Blue Demons.
UP NEXT
The Blue Demons will head to the WNY Invite held in Buffalo, N.Y. from Aug. 31-Sept. 2. DePaul will face the host Buffalo in addition toBinghamton and Montana during their weekend of play.Â
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONSÂ
For all the latest information on DePaul Volleyball, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.Â
2023 TICKET INFORMATION Â
Season ticket packages for the 2023 DePaul Volleyball season are available now. Season ticket packages start at just $39 and for a limited time includes an exclusive DePaul flag. Courtside season ticket options are also available for $79. Single-game tickets and Group Ticket Offers are also available and start at $5. Fans can visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets for more information.Â
