DePaul University Athletics
Friday, October 24
Villanova, Pa.
6 p.m.
DePaul University
at
Villanova
DePaul Slated for Pair of BIG EAST Road Matches
10/23/2025 1:51:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Blue Demons travel to Wildcats and Hoyas
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball returns to the East Coast for a pair of BIG EAST matches, Oct. 24-25. The Blue Demons face Villanova on Friday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. CT inside Jake Nevin Field House, before traveling to Washington, D.C. to tackle Georgetown on Saturday, Oct. 25. First serve against the Hoyas is slated for 6 p.m. CT, inside McDonough Arena. Both matches will stream on ESPN+.
"Villanova is having a strong season behind its defense and counterattack," said head coach Marie Zidek.
"We will have to show strong serving, reception and win the non-statted plays to match their counterattack. Georgetown is very balanced and will require steady and stable play to put ourselves into position for success. Both matches have unique playoff implications and are exciting opportunities to continue to reach for higher gears in how we administrate and grow our game as a team."
BLUE DEMON BITS
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
SERIES STUFF
UP NEXT
DePaul returns to the Midwest for its second pair of matches against Marquette and No. 13 Creighton. The Blue Demons host the Golden Eagles on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., before traveling to Omaha for a Halloween battle against the Bluejays. First serve inside DJ Sokol Arena is slated for 11:30 a.m. Both matches will stream on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
Stay up to date with all things DePaul Volleyball at DePaulBlueDemons.com. For real-time updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, or sign up for email updates and text alerts.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the 2025 DePaul volleyball season are on sale now! Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets. Group ticket options are also available 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
"Villanova is having a strong season behind its defense and counterattack," said head coach Marie Zidek.
"We will have to show strong serving, reception and win the non-statted plays to match their counterattack. Georgetown is very balanced and will require steady and stable play to put ourselves into position for success. Both matches have unique playoff implications and are exciting opportunities to continue to reach for higher gears in how we administrate and grow our game as a team."
BLUE DEMON BITS
- After a strong showing in her second weekend of action, Isabela Tavares Salomon entered the top ten in the conference for points (3.97 per set), kills (3.40 per set) and blocks (1.07 per set)
- The only BIG EAST freshman to rank higher than Tavares Salomon in both points and kills is her teammate Kendall Timme, who owns 4.43 points per set and 3.76 kills per set.
- Sophomore Amanda Saeger is one of just three players in the league averaging more than nine assists per set (9.90). Saeger has contributed two double-doubles in her last three matches, including a career-high 58 assists at Seton Hall.
- Middle blocker Jade-Dudley Epps has climbed to third in the league in blocks, averaging 1.25 per set. The sophomore also ranks fourth on the team in kills, with 149 total this season.
- Libero Eva Hurrle has been a strong backbone for the Blue Demon defense, sitting fourth in the league with 3.69 digs per set. Hurrle is also second on the team with 24 total service aces.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
- The Wildcats sit third in the BIG EAST standings, most recently enjoying road victories over UConn and Providence, both of which came in four sets
- Abby Harrell, a two-time All-BIG EAST selection, adds offensive firepower for Villanova, logging 3.94 kills per set and 4.37 points per set. Harrell also leads the Wildcats in total digs (204) and service aces (27).
- Ava Harris and Alyssa Nelson split setting responsibilities for Villanova, currently ninth and tenth in the BIG EAST rankings with 5.37 and 5.35 assists per set, respectively
- Head coach Josh Steinbach is in his 19th season at the helm of the Wildcats, the all-time winningest coach in program history with a 286-243 record as of December 2024.
- Middle blocker Kamryn Lee-Caracci leads the Hoyas with 56 total blocks, and is hitting at a .372 clip, good for fourth in the BIG EAST.
- Lee-Caracci and teammate Juleigh Urbina sit tied for fourth in the conference in service aces, both tallying 30 service aces across eight league matches.
- Freshman Samantha Soderlund has been a bright spot for Georgetown on offense, averaging 3.40 kills per set, which ties her with Tavares-Salomon for sixth in the conference. Soderlund's 3.85 points per set rank ninth in the league.
- Returning 2024 BIG EAST All-Freshman selection Dionna Mitchell also adds strength to the Georgetown attack, leading the squad with 235 total kills this season.
SERIES STUFF
- The Blue Demons have won seven of the last eight meetings against the Wildcats, but Villanova still holds the all-time series 19-9, dating back to 2005.
- Georgetown narrowly edges out DePaul for the all-time series, 18-16, but the Blue Demons have won six of the last eight matches, including the last three inside McDonough Arena.
UP NEXT
DePaul returns to the Midwest for its second pair of matches against Marquette and No. 13 Creighton. The Blue Demons host the Golden Eagles on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., before traveling to Omaha for a Halloween battle against the Bluejays. First serve inside DJ Sokol Arena is slated for 11:30 a.m. Both matches will stream on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
Stay up to date with all things DePaul Volleyball at DePaulBlueDemons.com. For real-time updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, or sign up for email updates and text alerts.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the 2025 DePaul volleyball season are on sale now! Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets. Group ticket options are also available 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
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