Saturday, September 13
Chicago, Ill.
12 p.m.
DePaul University
vs
Central Arkansas
DePaul Readies for First Pair of Home Matches
9/12/2025 11:14:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Blue Demons to host Central Arkansas and Chicago State
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball is back in Lincoln Park for its first pair of home matches this season, Sept. 13-14. On Saturday, the Blue Demons face the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears, with first serve slated for noon inside McGrath-Phillips Arena. Saturday's match serves as the program's alumni day, celebrating the past 50 seasons of DePaul volleyball student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Sunday at 1 p.m., the Blue Demons host local opponent Chicago State to finish their weekend. Tickets are available here and both matches will stream on ESPN+.
The Blue Demons are looking to improve on a 3-3 start to the season over two tournament weekends, narrowly falling by a combined four points in two matches at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational, before defeating host Missouri State in straight sets.
Against Missouri State, Katelynn Oxley logged a standout performance, named to the All-Tournament Team after posting nine kills at a .750 clip. Oxley leads DePaul in blocks this season, with 22, and is third in kills (49).
Aside from Oxley, a quartet of freshmen have made their presence felt immediately, as Morgan Stewart and Kendall Timme lead the charge on offense with 74 and 67 kills, respectively. Libero Eva Hurrle owns 4.64 digs per set, good for second in the BIG EAST, while Arden Billingsley has notched 121 assists, splitting the setting responsibilities with sophomore Amanda Saeger.
DePaul is hunting for its fourth home-opening win in eight seasons under head coach Marie Zidek.
"Last weekend, losing two matches by a total of four points after ten sets of competition reminded us how unique the potential of this team is, and how much more we need to work to consistently reach it," said Zidek.
"We have been dedicated this week to gaining more consistency, especially in the counterattack. Central Arkansas and Chicago State are also reaching for more consistency. Records are deceiving at this point. All three teams this weekend will show game, and it is another wonderful opportunity for this group to show a more complete game over a longer period of time."
SCOUTING THE SUGAR BEARS
-The Sugar Bears have opened the season 1-4, including a victory over Little Rock and a narrow five-set loss to Texas A&M
- Laci Bohannan, a preseason All-ASUN selection, leads the team in kills (48) and aces (6)
-Caylan Koons and Alexis McDaniel round out the preseason All-ASUN honorees for the Sugar Bears, with Koons taking responsibilities as the primary setter and McDaniel topping the squad in digs (92)
-In his fourth season as head coach, John Newberry seeks to improve on the team's 17-12 record from 2024, and reach the ASUN Championship for the first time in his tenure
COUGAR CORNER
-The Cougars were picked fourth of nine teams in the 2025 Northeast Conference preseason poll, after earning a 13-1 record and the regular season title a year ago
-Chicago State has yet to pick up a set this season, facing stout competition in Michigan State, Wisconsin, Green Bay and Merrimack College
-Sophomore Tarcy Mayah tops the team with six blocks on the year, while Nayella George leads the way with 33 digs and is also second in kills (21)
-Kamille Jones was announced as the head coach of the Cougars on July 16, 2025, after four seasons at the helm of University of Illinois Springfield
SERIES STUFF
-The Blue Demons and Sugar Bears have battled just once, a four-set home victory for DePaul back in 2006
-Against Chicago State, the Blue Demons are a perfect 16-0, last defeating the Cougars in 2014 on the road
UP NEXT
DePaul travels for a trio of regional matches next week, starting with Milwaukee on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The Blue Demons then face UIC on Friday, Sept. 20, to commence their Chicago Cup and round out the weekend at Loyola Chicago on Sunday, Sept.21.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Volleyball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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.
To stay up-to-date, sign up for DePaul Athletics email updates.
Sunday at 1 p.m., the Blue Demons host local opponent Chicago State to finish their weekend. Tickets are available here and both matches will stream on ESPN+.
The Blue Demons are looking to improve on a 3-3 start to the season over two tournament weekends, narrowly falling by a combined four points in two matches at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational, before defeating host Missouri State in straight sets.
Against Missouri State, Katelynn Oxley logged a standout performance, named to the All-Tournament Team after posting nine kills at a .750 clip. Oxley leads DePaul in blocks this season, with 22, and is third in kills (49).
Aside from Oxley, a quartet of freshmen have made their presence felt immediately, as Morgan Stewart and Kendall Timme lead the charge on offense with 74 and 67 kills, respectively. Libero Eva Hurrle owns 4.64 digs per set, good for second in the BIG EAST, while Arden Billingsley has notched 121 assists, splitting the setting responsibilities with sophomore Amanda Saeger.
DePaul is hunting for its fourth home-opening win in eight seasons under head coach Marie Zidek.
"Last weekend, losing two matches by a total of four points after ten sets of competition reminded us how unique the potential of this team is, and how much more we need to work to consistently reach it," said Zidek.
"We have been dedicated this week to gaining more consistency, especially in the counterattack. Central Arkansas and Chicago State are also reaching for more consistency. Records are deceiving at this point. All three teams this weekend will show game, and it is another wonderful opportunity for this group to show a more complete game over a longer period of time."
SCOUTING THE SUGAR BEARS
-The Sugar Bears have opened the season 1-4, including a victory over Little Rock and a narrow five-set loss to Texas A&M
- Laci Bohannan, a preseason All-ASUN selection, leads the team in kills (48) and aces (6)
-Caylan Koons and Alexis McDaniel round out the preseason All-ASUN honorees for the Sugar Bears, with Koons taking responsibilities as the primary setter and McDaniel topping the squad in digs (92)
-In his fourth season as head coach, John Newberry seeks to improve on the team's 17-12 record from 2024, and reach the ASUN Championship for the first time in his tenure
COUGAR CORNER
-The Cougars were picked fourth of nine teams in the 2025 Northeast Conference preseason poll, after earning a 13-1 record and the regular season title a year ago
-Chicago State has yet to pick up a set this season, facing stout competition in Michigan State, Wisconsin, Green Bay and Merrimack College
-Sophomore Tarcy Mayah tops the team with six blocks on the year, while Nayella George leads the way with 33 digs and is also second in kills (21)
-Kamille Jones was announced as the head coach of the Cougars on July 16, 2025, after four seasons at the helm of University of Illinois Springfield
SERIES STUFF
-The Blue Demons and Sugar Bears have battled just once, a four-set home victory for DePaul back in 2006
-Against Chicago State, the Blue Demons are a perfect 16-0, last defeating the Cougars in 2014 on the road
UP NEXT
DePaul travels for a trio of regional matches next week, starting with Milwaukee on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The Blue Demons then face UIC on Friday, Sept. 20, to commence their Chicago Cup and round out the weekend at Loyola Chicago on Sunday, Sept.21.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Volleyball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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.
To stay up-to-date, sign up for DePaul Athletics email updates.
Players Mentioned
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/ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALLEpisode 24: Marie Zidek, Women's Volleyball
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