DePaul University
0-1,0-0Big East
South Dakota
1-1,0-0Summit League
DePaul Drops Season Opener to South Dakota
8/26/2023 4:30:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Three Blue Demons at the top of the attack on opening day
AMES, IOWA - DePaul volleyball fell in its season opener, Saturday afternoon, against South Dakota ), 0-3 (23-25, 19-25, 19-25) at the Cardinal & Gold Challenge in Ames, Iowa.Â
DePaul (0-1) saw a balanced attack from Bailey Nelson with nine kills followed by Jill Pressly and Aly Kindelberger each with eight. Rachel Krasowski posted a team-high 13 digs, and DePaul earned four service aces to South Dakota's zero.
Freshmen Nora Mannion, Meghan Scholz and Yagmur Yavuz each made their first collegiate appearances in the matchup with the Coyotes, alongside Audrey Klemp who made her Blue Demon debut as well. Scholz recorded three kills and three blocks while Klemp had five kills and five digs. Mannion recorded her first career service ace and Yavuz had one block on the afternoon.Â
"Our team showed tremendous grit," said head coach Marie Zidek. "We had a lot of bright spots. It was not the result we wanted as our offense got cold and their defense heated up. We have to flip the script tomorrow, and it's nice to be able to have an opportunity right away to rip off the bandaid and get right back out there to compete."
South Dakota (1-1) was led by three Coyotes who recorded double figure kills, while Kylen Sealock leading the way with a double-double (11 kills, 10 digs).Â
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set One: The Blue Demons saw their first lead of the game as they went up 15-13 with help from Pressly, Nelson, Kindelberger and Phoenix Lee. A South Dakota attack error and blocks from Klemp and Kindelberger caused a Coyote time out. The teams bounced points back and forth, until South Dakota earned four straight points to take the first set.
Set Two: Early back-and-forth action kept the score close throughout the first nine points for each team. The Coyotes began pulling away on a 5-0 scoring run for a 13-9 lead. DePaulsaw blocks from Kindelberger, Klemp and Yavuz, but South Dakota came away with the set behind three kills and a Blue Demon service error.Â
Set Three: Despite the Coyotes jumping out to an early 18-8 lead, DePaul clawed back into the set. A string of kills from Nelson, blocks from Scholz, Klemp and Jones, as well as service aces from Mannion and Krasowski brought the squad within four points, 19-23. A block assist from South Dakota's Harms and Loschen ultimately claimed the match for the Coyotes.
UP NEXT
The Blue Demons will conclude play at the Cardinal & Gold Challenge when they take on the host Iowa State on Sunday. First serve is set for 1 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+. 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
