DePaul Volleyball Seeks to Build on BIG EAST Momentum

CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball returns to McGrath-Phillips Arena this weekend, hosting Butler and Xavier, Oct. 17-18. First serve for Friday's Faculty and Staff Appreciation Match against the Bulldogs is slated for 7 p.m., while Saturday's DIBS Kids Club Match versus the Musketeers is set to commence at 5 p.m.

Tickets are available here and both matches will stream on ESPN+. With valid employee identification, DePaul faculty and staff can redeem up to four complimentary tickets on Friday evening.

The Blue Demons are ready to build on their momentum after earning two road wins against St. John's and Seton Hall, their first time doing so since 2021. They carry a strong 4-1 home record into the weekend, with their lone loss inside McGrath-Phillips Arena coming against No. 14 Creighton.

"In another critical week of BIG EAST play for us, Butler and Xavier present unique challenges," said head coach Marie Zidek.

"Butler's pins can get hot for them any time, so it will be imperative that we do not give them ideal situations to put rhythm into their team. Xavier requires the same idea, but instead of personnel, we will be trying to disrupt the speed with in which their system thrives. Both matches require the floor of our game to rise relative to how we execute our systems and stack points, especially in counterattack. The league is getting to its most critical stretch. What a privilege it is to be required to reach for more against teams that want to take everything away from you."

BLUE DEMON BITS

Freshman Isabela Tavares-Salomon made her debut for the Blue Demons over the weekend, adding eight kills in the victory over St. John's, before exploding for 20 kills against the Pirates.
On Monday, outside hitter Kendall Timme became the third DePaul freshman this season to earn BIG EAST Freshman of the Week recognition, after leading the league with 5.00 points per set.
Timme also registered a double-double against the Red Storm with 25 digs and 14 kills on .481 hitting, plus nine blocks and four aces.
Setter Amanda Saeger earned her first career recognition from the BIG EAST on Monday, tabbed to the weekly Honor Roll after averaging a league-leading 11.88 assists per set.
The sophomore logged a career-high 58 assists with 15 digs for a double-double in last Saturday's reverse sweep of Seton Hall.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS

Butler sits at 1-5 in BIG EAST play, with its lone conference victory coming against Providence in straight sets at home
Sophomore Alaleh Tolliver continues to stand out for the Bulldogs, leading the team in kills (267) and service aces (27), while ranking third in digs (144). Tolliver's 3.37 kills per set rank ninth in the league.
Middle blocker Zoe McDonald tops the squad in blocks (65), but also remains the most efficient Butler attacker, posting a .303 hitting percentage through six conference matches
Head coach Kyle Shondell is in his third year leading the Bulldogs, with a 20-39 record through two seasons

SCOUTING THE MUSKETEERS

The Musketeers recorded a strong start in conference play, perched just above the Blue Demons in the standings with a 5-1 BIG EAST record
Xavier's McKinley Boehm stands as the second-most efficient hitter in the league through six matches, behind only Kiara Reinhardt of Creighton. Boehm owns a .434 hitting percentage, including 15 kills at a .522 clip against Villanova.
Junior Macy Hatkevich facilitates the Xavier offense, owning 8.48 assists per set, good for fifth in the league
Head coach Christy Pfeffenberger is in her tenth season at the helm of the Musketeers, earning a 90-78 tally in BIG EAST matches across the past decade

SERIES STUFF

The Bulldogs hold the all-time series over the Blue Demons, 23-13, but DePaul emerged victorious on the road in 2024, defeating Butler in straight sets inside Hinkle Fieldhouse
The Blue Demons have won six of the last seven meetings against Xavier dating back to 2021, despite the Musketeers owning the all-time series, 20-11

UP NEXT
The Blue Demons make their return to the East Coast next weekend, tackling Villanova on Friday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. CT, and Georgetown on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. CT. Both matches will stream on ESPN+.

FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
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TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2025 DePaul volleyball season are on sale, starting at just $49. Season ticket holders receive access to all regular-season home matches and exclusive benefits! Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets. Group ticket options are available now for parties of 10 or more, making it easy to bring your team, company or friends to a match. Explore all group ticket options at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Groups.