Blue Demons Best Broncos in Four Sets

Sunday, August 31

Kalamazoo, Mich.

2 p.m.

DePaul University

2-1,0-0Big East

Western Michigan

1-2,0-0MAC

DePaul

Western Mich.

Eva Hurrle celebrates with her team on the court

8/31/2025 4:59:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Box Score

Jade Dudley-Epps logs career-high ten kills

Kalamazoo, Mich. – DePaul volleyball concluded its Western Michigan Tournament with a victory over the Broncos, 3-1 (25-17, 20-25, 25-22, 25-20), on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Demons improve to 2-1 on the young season, while Western Michigan falls to 1-2.

Four Blue Demons reached double-figure kills, paced for the third consecutive match by Morgan Stewart, with 19. Stewart also posted 12 digs for her second double-double of the season. Fellow freshman Kendall Timme added 12 kills of her own, while middle blockers Jade Dudley-Epps and Katelynn Oxley each registered ten. For Dudley-Epps this marks a new career-high while Oxley also matches her best tally, which she last achieved on September 1, 2024, against Bradley.

Defensively, Oxley led the block for the second-straight match, tallying six, and Yagmur Yavuz followed closely behind with five. Freshman libero Eva Hurrle logged 23 digs, while Arden Billingsley recorded 34 assists, her first match reaching 30 or more.

"What a phenomenal showing of blue grit and quality volleyball against an aggressive Western Michigan team on their home court," said head coach Marie Zidek.
"To have 18 kills in the opening set alone and then find a way to respond down 20-9 in the third set and take that momentum to finish it in the fourth set speaks to the resilience this team is beginning to build as a newer group. Nothing is better than seeing them work through pressure, find solutions, stick together and reach a new gear in the same weekend."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
SET ONE
The sides swapped kills for the opening eight points, with consecutive Timme kills earning DePaul a one-point lead into the media timeout, 15-14. Following the break, the Blue Demons exploded for a 6-0 scoring run, closing the set, 25-17, with a Meghan Scholz and Oxley block.

SET TWO
Despite DePaul jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead, the Broncos responded with three points of their own and the set remained tight until a 4-0 scoring run from Western Michigan. Down four, Stewart rattled off three quick kills to put the Blue Demons back within a point, but it wouldn't be enough, with the Broncos taking the set, 25-20, after four kills from Mia Jurkovic.

SET THREE
Five early errors from the Blue Demons gave the Broncos a 7-2 lead, and they continued to charge forward, leading by as many as 11 points. DePaul then went on an impressive 13-0 scoring run late, led by kills from Scholz, Stewart, Epps and Yavuz. Two late kills from both Stewart and Yavuz earned the Blue Demons the hard-fought set, 25-22.

SET FOUR
The Blue Demons carried their momentum into the fourth set, with Billingsley and Scholz adding kills early. Oxley and Epps both notched two kills in the middle of the frame to extend DePaul's lead to five, but the Broncos came within one point after three Blue Demon errors. DePaul refused to let go of the lead and six more kills won the final set for the Blue Demons, 25-20.

UP NEXT
DePaul returns to action at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational in Springfield, Mo., Sept. 5-6. They will face UTSA and Lindenwood on Friday, Sept. 5 and Missouri State to conclude the tournament on Saturday, Sept.6. Saturday's match will air on ESPN+ here.

FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
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TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2025 DePaul volleyball season are on sale now, starting at just $49. Season ticket holders receive access to all 10 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 game. Explore all group ticket options at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Groups.

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