DePaul University
5-2,0-0Big East
Colorado State
3-4,0-0Mountain West
Volleyball Drops Home Opener to Colorado State
9/13/2024 12:11:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball fell in its home opener 3-1 (15-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-25) to Colorado State on Thursday evening inside the newly renovated McGrath-Phillips Arena. The Blue Demons fell to 5-2 on the season while the Rams improved to 3-4 in 2024.
Outside hitters Jill Pressly and Audrey Klemp combined for 25 kills to lead the attack for the Blue Demons. Pressly posted a team-high 13 kills and collected the 43rd double-double of her career and fourth of the season with 13 digs while Klemp registered 12 kills and added a team-high four blocks.
Sophomore middle blocker Meghan Scholz totaled a season-best eight kills on .429 hitting while owning three blocks.
Yagmur Yavuz chipped in a season-high seven kills while Aly Kindelberger put down seven herself in addition to two blocks and a service ace.
Setters Amanda Saeger and Ashley Cudiamat recorded 19 assists apiece. Cudiamat reeled in a career-high 23 digs for her fourth double-double this season.
Colorado State was led by Malaya Jones and her 14 kills. The Rams served tough, pouring in eightaces on the evening while posting 12 blocks to DePaul's six.
"Firstly, tonight was an incredible environment for our home opener. Thank you to our administration, ticket office, marketing crew, and to all the athletics department personnel including student athletes who came out to support. The new facility continues to deliver an unbelievable home atmosphere for explosive volleyball" said Head Coach Marie Zidek.
"The match tonight was not the result we wanted, but there were so many positives and learning moments that will serve us into the BIG EAST season. We out killed and out dug a very offensive team. We lost some easy points and lost focus at inopportune times, which is part of our game we typically are very good at doing. However, we are learning how to punch up with the quality of game needed to beat a good team. You have to go after it with your attacks and find ways to score and then be patient and sit in long rallies until you can turn up the dial again on the swing" Zidek continued. "Our middles did an incredible job slowing down their pins, we just didn't turn enough key moments into points. A lot to learn from, and we have the choice to be better because of it tomorrow."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE: Scholz's first kill of the evening handed DePaul an early 4-1 lead before a 11-3 run put the visitors in front 16-10. Back-to-back kills from Scholz and Klemp trimmed the deficit to 16-12, but the Rams closed the set with four unanswered points to take an early advantage.
SET TWO: Turning the tables, CSU started the second set on a 4-1 run, but the Blue Demons weathered the storm with a 7-1 spurt of their own with Aly Kindelberger behind the service line to jump in front 15-13. After a response from the Rams, Klemp strung together consecutive kills and a block alongside Scholz to claim an 18-16 edge. Kindelberger's pair of kills came at critical moments to push the score to 23-20 before Pressly evened the match with back-to-back terminations to close the set.
SET THREE: The Blue Demons carried the momentum in the third, taking a 5-2 advantage on a Scholz and Yavuz block. The Rams earned six of the next seven points to earn a lead they would never relinquish. Trailing 18-14, DePaul battled back to come within one on consecutive kills From Yavuz on the right side, 23-22. Facing set point, Pressly terminated but Colorado State took a 2-1 advantage in the match on a Blue Demon attack error.
SET FOUR: A 7-1 run early in the fourth made the score 15-7 in favor of the Rams. DePaul would score consecutive points just once more in the set on kills from freshman Luisa Juncu and Scholz before CSU closed out the set 25-15 and the match, 3-1.
UP NEXT:
The Blue Demons turn the page to host the DePaul/UIC Invitational, Sept. 13-14. The homestand rolls on Friday with a match against Brown at 7 p.m. before welcoming in Bowling Green on Saturday at 5 p.m. on Alumni Day. Both matches will stream live on FloVolleyball.
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.
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.
