DePaul University
3-0,0-0Big East
Bradley
1-2,0-0MVC
Blue Demons Post Perfect Opening Weekend
9/1/2024 5:06:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Pressly adds career-high 29 kills
Peoria, Ill. – DePaul volleyball concluded the CEFCU Invitational with a five-set win over Bradley on Sunday afternoon, (25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 20-25, 15-7), remaining perfect on the weekend and the season.
The Blue Demons were led by a super-charged performance from graduate student Jill Pressly, who recorded a career-high 29 kills alongside 10 digs for her third double-double in as many games this season. Pressly also posted three service aces, as did freshman Luisa Juncu.
Audrey Klemp poured in 13 kills and added 5 digs. Junior Katelynn Oxley contributed 10 kills at a .692 clip.
Libero Rachel Krasowski led the team in digs with 28, while senior Ashley Cudiamat and Juncu each chipped in 13 of their own. Cudiamat notched her second double-double of 2024, putting up 27 assists. Fellow setter Amanda Saeger also put up 24 assists in the win.
Junior Iva Popovic led the way for Bradley, with 17 kills and 14 digs. Bradley junior Irene Mostardini added 23 digs of her own.
"That goes into one of the top matches I've ever been a part of as a player or coach because of how both teams competed and what the match required," said head coach Marie Zidek.
"Each team fought and fought for two straight hours and had to weather some momentum changes. We showed composure down the stretch and had some game-changing substitutions, especially Abby Cahill. She was passing perfect in set five when we really needed good reception. This team is becoming something, and we are enjoying every part of this journey."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE: The set opened with a Pressly kill but remained close throughout, as the teams traded kills early. A block by senior Aly Kindelberger sparked the Blue Demon offense, and five more kills from Pressly propelled DePaul to a 25-21 set victory.
SET TWO: Set two saw 11 ties and six lead changes, but Klemp turned the tides in the middle of the set with two quick kills, putting the Blue Demons up four. The Braves clawed their way back to tie the set at 16 but could not overcome seven attack errors. Aces from Juncu and Saeger tipped the scales in favor of DePaul, earning the set 25-20.
SET THREE: DePaul came out strong with three kills to open the set, but the lead did not extend past three as the teams continued to trade points up until the end. Two service errors from the Blue Demons and two kills from Bradley sophomore Angelina Sayles led to the Braves taking their first set of the match, 25-22.
SET FOUR: Three quick kills from the Braves put them ahead early in the set, but the Blue Demons remained within striking distance as Oxley recorded two kills. Four consecutive kills from four different Braves allowed them to pull away late, taking the set 25-20.
SET FIVE: Another opening kill from Jill and two attack errors from the Braves put DePaul up from the beginning. They never looked back, maintaining their lead for the entire set, aided by strong passing from freshman Abby Cahill. Four more kills from Jill earned DePaul the deciding set victory, 15-7.
UP NEXT
The Blue Demons will continue their road stand when they head to San Diego, California for the San Diego State Invitational Sept. 5-7. Their first match of the tournament will come against host San Diego State Thursday, followed by matches Friday and Saturday against Tulane and Portland State, respectively. The Blue Demons open at home on Saturday, September 12 against Colorado State.
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TICKET INFORMATION
Join DePaul Volleyball at McGrath-Phillips Arena this fall and join us in celebrating 50 years of Blue Demon volleyball! Season ticket memberships start at only $45 per seat and include access to all 15 regular season home matches! For an additional $30, upgrade your experience and sit courtside at McGrath-Phillips Arena! Fans can visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets for more information, including single-game tickets and group opportunities.
