DePaul Triumphs Against Villanova in Four Sets

Friday, October 24

Villanova, Pa.

6 p.m.

DePaul University

12-8,5-4Big East

Villanova

15-5,6-3Big East

DePaul

Villanova

DePaul Triumphs Against Villanova in Four Sets

10/24/2025 8:25:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Box Score

Katelynn Oxley adds match-best five blocks in victory

VILLANOVA, Pa. – DePaul volleyball defeated Villanova 3-1 (20-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-23) on Friday evening, improving to 12-8 on the season and 5-4 in BIG EAST play. The Wildcats fall to 15-5, including 6-3 in conference matches.

Setter Amanda Saeger organized the DePaul offense, adding her fourth double-double this season with 35 assists, 13 digs and a trio of blocks.

Kendall Timme and Isabela Tavares Salomon paced the attack, each adding 11 kills. Timme also contributed 12 digs, her sixth double-double on the year.

Middle blocker Katelynn Oxley registered a match-best five blocks, her ninth match this season with five or more, while sophomore Abby Cahill led the defensive efforts with 15 digs, just one shy of her career-high.

"Incredible team win for a group that had been suffering a bit the past two weeks while learning how to play in October," said head coach Marie Zidek.

"We stuck to our plan of serving tough and keeping their setters from putting rhythm into their offense. It was a great team win tonight for our group."

Villanova was led by 12 kills and 16 digs from Abby Harrell, both match-bests.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE
Three early DePaul errors gave the Wildcats an advantage, but the Blue Demons knotted the frame at six points, behind kills from Jade Dudley-Epps, Oxley and Tavares Salomon. Villanova took six of the next seven points, propelled by kills from four different players, earning a four-point edge. The Blue Demons battled back again to tie the set at 16, but a late 5-0 scoring run for Villanova won the Wildcats the opening set, 25-20.

SET TWO
A pair of quick kills and a block from Tavares Salomon earned the Blue Demons the early lead in set two. DePaul built on its lead with two kills and two service aces from Timme, forcing Villanova to take an early timeout. From there, the Blue Demons did not relinquish their lead, with Morgan Stewart adding four late kills, en route to a 25-15 set victory.

SET THREE
A pair of aces from Alyssa Nelson pushed the Wildcats in front early, but three Villanova errors then evened the frame at seven points apiece. The teams traded points through the middle of the set, but two kills each from Tavares Salomon and Timme put DePaul back in front. Ahead by five late, four errors from the Wildcats concluded the frame in favor of the Blue Demons, 25-18.

SET FOUR
Villanova opened the fourth set with a 4-0 run, holding on to its lead through the entire set until DePaul tied the frame at 20, led by three service aces from Stewart and two kills from Tavares Salomon. In a close battle late, it was a Villanova error and Dudley-Epps kill that earned DePaul the final set win, 25-23.

UP NEXT
DePaul finishes its weekend at Georgetown on Saturday, October 25. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. CT from McDonough Arena, with streaming here 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.