DePaul University
8-5,1-1Big East
Villanova
9-5,0-2Big East
DePaul Downs Villanova in Five-Set Thriller
9/23/2023 10:27:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pressly and Klemp banded together for 48 kills
CHICAGO - DePaul volleyball defeated Villanova in a thrilling five-set match, 3-2, (25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-12) Saturday evening.
DePaul (8-5) was paced offensively by Jill Pressly and Audrey Klemp who both recorded 24 kills. Pressly had a season-high .408 hitting percentage while adding 16 digs and four blocks. Klemp's 24 kills set a new career-high, while she also recorded a service ace and five blocks. Junior Ashley Cudiamat recorded a career-high 55 assists, adding in two aces, a kill and a block in her second-straight match as the starting setter.
Bailey Nelson poured in 11 kills and three blocks, and Meghan Scholz added six kills and five blocks. Katelynn Oxley tied her career-high, adding seven blocks. Libero Rachel Krasowski added 23 digs and Sierra Ellison tallied 10.
This was the first five-set match for the Blue Demons in the 2023 campaign. Entering today, Villanova was previously undefeated in five-set matches throughout the season.
"Incredible grit and fight from this group," said head coach Marie Zidek. "We are under serious adversity with player availability, and our motto has been bend but don't break, and that's what this group did tonight."
"Our 3 pins had monster evenings. Jill, to only have four errors on 49 swings with 29 kills...that's nearly 50% kill hitting .408. To do that as a six rotation player who also has to pass in a two person pass, she managed exceptionally well tonight. Bailey chipped in her offense but it was her defense on the block that disrupted their offense enough that they couldn't kill the ball as often. It really stopped them from building momentum. Audrey took the lion's share of the swings tonight at 63 and chipped in 24 kills of her own. Our middles got better with their block as the match went on, and Katelynn finished with six blocks and Meghan five. Meghan also hit six kills on 10 attempts and found the kill just when we needed it. Rachel managed serve receive and second ball setting against one of the toughest serving teams in the league. Our role players - Julia, Sierra, and Phoenix - came in and provided game changing impacts. Lastly, Ashley set a career high on a night where she was being honored for breaking 1000 career assists."
"We have players in a different lineup, got absolutely smoked last night by Georgetown, and still our players came to play today with the confidence of 1,000 lions. This is Blue Grit. This is who we are becoming as a team. Super proud."
Villanova (9-5) was led by Kiera Booth with 18 kills.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE: Villanova pushed ahead early in the match, embarking on a 7-0 run, 7-2. A service ace from Ellison helped the Blue Demons rally and tie the match at 10. A solo block by Nelson lead the way to a four-point DePaul lead, 19-15. Pressly hammered home a kill to take the set for the Blue Demons.
SET TWO: The Wildcats led 5-0 early behind strong serving. The Blue Demons cut the lead to three with help from Nelson and Oxley on a block. Much back-and-forth ensued, and DePaul worked to chip away at Villanova's lead with a kill and ace from Cudiamat. The Wildcats took the win on a kill and service ace.
SET THREE: Villanova gained a quick 6-1 lead behind three kills and a block. The Blue Demons responded with a 9-1 surge of their own to gain a two-point advantage, 15-13. Errors by the Wildcats and kills from Klemp and Pressly put DePaul at set point as they took the set win on another Villanova error.
SET FOUR: A service run from the Wildcats tied the match at 10, but a Villanova error and block from Oxley and Klemp gave the Blue Demons a slight lead. Pressly continued her offensive showing, tallying three-straight kills to put DePaul up, 15-13. The Wildcats battled back, forcing Blue Demon errors to force a fifth set. Â
SET FIVE:Â decisive fifth set continued in back-and-forth fashion as each side traded points. The Blue Demons took advantage of Villanova errors, getting out to a 9-6 lead. The Wildcats went on a 3-0 surge to tie the match up again. Klemp recorded her 24th kill of the night, shifting momentum and giving DePaul a three-point lead. A block from Scholz and Klemp secured the win for DePaul.
UP NEXT
DePaul heads off on their first road trip of BIG EAST play. The Blue Demons will pay a visit to the Providence Friars on Saturday, Sept. 30 followed by a matchup at UConn on Sunday, Oct. 1. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. CT.
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
