Wednesday, November 27
Omaha, Neb.
2:30 p.m.
DePaul University
19-12,10-8Big East
3
vs
0
St. John's
21-12,10-8Big East
1
2
3
F
St. John's (NY)
20
15
21
0
DePaul
25
25
25
3
DePaul Earns Straight-Set Victory to Open BIG EAST Tournament
11/27/2024 5:11:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pressly and Scholz each tally six blocks in win
OMAHA, Neb. – No. 4 DePaul defeated No. 5 St. John's 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-21) Wednesday afternoon, earning their second consecutive first round win in the conference tournament, and first-ever BIG EAST tournament win in three sets. The victory marks DePaul's second straight-set victory against the Red Storm in 2024.
Outside hitter Jill Pressly led the Blue Demon offense with 15 kills at a .333 clip, along with six blocks and two service aces. Middle blocker Aly Kindelberger registered her tenth match of the season in double-figures, adding 11 kills on .467 hitting. Fellow middle blocker Meghan Scholz also registered six blocks on the day.
Defensively, libero Rachel Krasowski led the team with 11 digs. Senior Ashley Cudiamat and freshman Amanda Saeger split setting responsibilities, tallying 19 and 18 assists, respectively.
"It's hard to know where to start," said head coach Marie Zidek.
"One of the most enjoyable team matches I've ever been a part of. The team came out so sharp in every phase of the game and played within their roles so well. St. John's is very experienced in this tournament, so we were not surprised that they came out full gas in set three. The team took some incredible swings and stepped up their game to work back to tie that set late, and then made every play we needed to create space to finish. I am so proud of this group. It has been so fun to watch their confidence grow through these competitive moments."
Juniors Erin Jones and Lucrezia Lodi each poured in ten kills for the Red Storm.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE
The Blue Demons came out strong, with a 4-0 scoring run that included two kills and a block from sophomore Meghan Scholz. Two service aces from Krasowski and Pressly extended the Blue Demon lead to four, and three kills each from Scholz and Kindelberger late in the set earned DePaul the opening stanza, 25-20.
SET TWO
Five early errors from the Red Storm gave the Blue Demons a six-point advantage, but the Red Storm clawed their way back within three after quick kills from Jones. DePaul was not deterred, proceeding to post two scoring runs of nine total points, one of which included three blocks. A kill from Juncu won DePaul the set, 25-15.
SET THREE
St. John's found an early lead after a 4-0 run, which they retained until the Blue Demons knotted the set at 16 points. The two sides traded points late, until two 3-0 scoring runs from DePaul, propelled by three kills from Kindelberger, earned the Blue Demons the final set, 25-21.
UP NEXT
DePaul advances to the BIG EAST tournament semifinals on Friday, November 29. They will face host, AVCA No. 5, and tournament No. 1 seed Creighton at 2:30 p.m. CT, with streaming on FloCollege.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Volleyball, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Outside hitter Jill Pressly led the Blue Demon offense with 15 kills at a .333 clip, along with six blocks and two service aces. Middle blocker Aly Kindelberger registered her tenth match of the season in double-figures, adding 11 kills on .467 hitting. Fellow middle blocker Meghan Scholz also registered six blocks on the day.
Defensively, libero Rachel Krasowski led the team with 11 digs. Senior Ashley Cudiamat and freshman Amanda Saeger split setting responsibilities, tallying 19 and 18 assists, respectively.
"It's hard to know where to start," said head coach Marie Zidek.
"One of the most enjoyable team matches I've ever been a part of. The team came out so sharp in every phase of the game and played within their roles so well. St. John's is very experienced in this tournament, so we were not surprised that they came out full gas in set three. The team took some incredible swings and stepped up their game to work back to tie that set late, and then made every play we needed to create space to finish. I am so proud of this group. It has been so fun to watch their confidence grow through these competitive moments."
Juniors Erin Jones and Lucrezia Lodi each poured in ten kills for the Red Storm.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE
The Blue Demons came out strong, with a 4-0 scoring run that included two kills and a block from sophomore Meghan Scholz. Two service aces from Krasowski and Pressly extended the Blue Demon lead to four, and three kills each from Scholz and Kindelberger late in the set earned DePaul the opening stanza, 25-20.
SET TWO
Five early errors from the Red Storm gave the Blue Demons a six-point advantage, but the Red Storm clawed their way back within three after quick kills from Jones. DePaul was not deterred, proceeding to post two scoring runs of nine total points, one of which included three blocks. A kill from Juncu won DePaul the set, 25-15.
SET THREE
St. John's found an early lead after a 4-0 run, which they retained until the Blue Demons knotted the set at 16 points. The two sides traded points late, until two 3-0 scoring runs from DePaul, propelled by three kills from Kindelberger, earned the Blue Demons the final set, 25-21.
UP NEXT
DePaul advances to the BIG EAST tournament semifinals on Friday, November 29. They will face host, AVCA No. 5, and tournament No. 1 seed Creighton at 2:30 p.m. CT, with streaming on FloCollege.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Volleyball, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Team Stats
SJU
DePaul
Kills
35
45
Errors
21
11
Attempts
96
94
Hitting %
.146
.362
Points
44.0
58.0
Assists
35
42
Aces
4
4
Blocks
5
9
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
15
Aces
2
Blocks
6
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
S
/ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
MB
/ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
L
/ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
OH
/ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
S
/ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALLMB
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