DePaul University Athletics
Friday, September 26
Chicago, Ill.
7 p.m.
DePaul University
vs
UConn
DePaul Begins BIG EAST Play at Home
9/25/2025 12:34:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Blue Demons welcome Huskies and Friars to McGrath-Phillips Arena
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball will host a pair of BIG EAST matches inside McGrath-Phillips Arena to begin its conference slate, Sept.26-27. The Blue Demons and Connecticut Huskies battle on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m., while a faceoff with the Providence Friars is set to commence at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. Tickets are available here and both matches will stream on ESPN+.
"What a privilege it is to begin BIG EAST play with two matches that hold tremendous playoff implications," said head coach Marie Zidek.
"With a shortened conference season, only four qualifying positions for the BIG EAST Tournament and an imbalanced schedule in league play for those spots, it is imperative we compete from the start in these two matches. We only face UConn and Providence once this season, and both teams come to our place with significant preseason momentum.
We feel uniquely prepared from last week's competitive experiences to play the volleyball required to meet the moment. Let's see what we can do this Friday and Saturday to continue to raise the bar. This is why you lace them up, for battles and privileged pressure like this. We are excited to show a competitive fire at home and welcome our Blue Demon family to McGrath-Phillips Arena."
BLUE DEMON BITS
The Blue Demons host No. 16 Creighton on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. The match will serve as the program's Dig Pink Day to support the future of breast cancer care, in alignment with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Blue Demons then travel to Milwaukee for the second time this year, facing Marquette at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.
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
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 game. Explore all group ticket options at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Groups.
"What a privilege it is to begin BIG EAST play with two matches that hold tremendous playoff implications," said head coach Marie Zidek.
"With a shortened conference season, only four qualifying positions for the BIG EAST Tournament and an imbalanced schedule in league play for those spots, it is imperative we compete from the start in these two matches. We only face UConn and Providence once this season, and both teams come to our place with significant preseason momentum.
We feel uniquely prepared from last week's competitive experiences to play the volleyball required to meet the moment. Let's see what we can do this Friday and Saturday to continue to raise the bar. This is why you lace them up, for battles and privileged pressure like this. We are excited to show a competitive fire at home and welcome our Blue Demon family to McGrath-Phillips Arena."
BLUE DEMON BITS
- The Blue Demons look to continue their momentum from a five-set victory over Loyola Chicago last Sunday, which featured a career-high 23 kills from Kendall Timme and 31 digs from Eva Hurrle.
- Hurrle is second in the conference with 5.11 digs per set and also leads the squad with 16 service aces, including five against the Ramblers.
- Middle blockers Katelynn Oxley and Jade Dudley-Epps continue to be the most efficient attackers for the Blue Demon offense, hitting .328 and .321, respectively, both good for top ten in the league.
- Oxley and Dudley-Epps each have 45 total blocks (1.00 per set), tied for best on the team.
- Morgan Stewart registered her eighth match in double-digit kills against the Ramblers, also propelling the Blue Demons to a 5-0 run behind the service line to open the deciding set.
- Stewart owns 3.29 kills per set, good for tenth in the BIG EAST, and second among all freshmen.
- Head coach Marie Zidek earned her 100th career victory against the Ramblers, with her next win making her the third-winningest coach in program history.
- The Huskies own an 11-1 record through 12 preseason matches, most recently defeating Brown, Marist and Sacred Heart during the UConn Classic.
- Head coach Ellen Herman-Kimball is in her seventh season leading the Huskies, also recently earning her 100th career victory on September 19 against Brown.
- 2024 All-BIG EAST selection Emma Werkmeister has driven the UConn offense through preseason, notching 159 total kills and 27 service aces.
- Audrey Rome leads the Huskies with 39 blocks and is third on the team with 92 kills
- Setter Doga Kutlu has organized the UConn side, with 404 total assists (8.98 per set), good for fifth in the league, just ahead of DePaul setter Amanda Saeger, who is averaging 7.88 assists per set.
- The Friars enter BIG EAST play with a 9-4 record, facing Marquette Friday evening before traveling to Lincoln Park.
- Redshirt senior Hadley Pride has been a standout on defense for the Friars, leading the BIG EAST with 5.68 digs per set. Pride and Hurrle are the only players in the league averaging 5.00 digs per set or more.
- Setter Miller McDonald owns a team-best 267 assists and 27 service aces, including a season-best 29 assists in the team's most recent victory over New Orleans
- Margot Royer-Johnson is embarking on her 26th season with the Friars in 2025, with a 249-511 record at the helm
- The Blue Demons have won the last four meetings against the Huskies, including handing them their only home loss of the 2024 season in straight sets, while UConn holds the all-time tally, 14-5
- DePaul holds the all-time series, 15-7, over the Friars, emerging victorious in eight of the last ten matches
- At home, the Blue Demons are 9-3 against the Friars
The Blue Demons host No. 16 Creighton on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. The match will serve as the program's Dig Pink Day to support the future of breast cancer care, in alignment with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Blue Demons then travel to Milwaukee for the second time this year, facing Marquette at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.
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
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 game. Explore all group ticket options at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Groups.
Players Mentioned
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