Volleyball Rallies Past Xavier for Best Start Since 2001

Saturday, October 24

Chicago, Ill.

5 p.m.

DePaul University

15-5,7-2Big East

Xavier

12-8,5-4Big East

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Xavier	21	25	13	25	11	2
DePaul	25	23	25	22	15	3

10/24/2026 9:18:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Blue Demons go the distance to take down Musketeers, 3-2

CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball outlasted Xavier on Saturday at McGrath-Phillips Arena, taking a 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 25-13, 22-25, 15-11) victory in front of 846 fans. The Blue Demons improved to 15-5 overall and 7-2 in the BIG EAST, their best 20-match start and best conference start since 2001, when DePaul won the Conference USA title and reached the NCAA Tournament. Xavier falls to 12-8 and 5-4.

Kendall Timme matched her career high with 23 kills, hitting .322 on 59 swings and adding 10 digs and four block assists. It was her third match this season with double-digit kills and a hitting percentage above .300, and her fourth double-double of the year. Leonor Polezzi recorded her third-straight double-double with 42 assists and 15 digs. Libero Abby Cahill added 16 digs.

"Another incredible night of volleyball in the BIG EAST," said head Marie Zidek. "Xavier was the best I've seen them play all year, and they put together a vintage defensive performance. It took us digging deep, finding more counterattack opportunities, and then really going for it on the attack while making some opportune defensive plays at the net with our block. It was an incredible show of grit to come back from down 3-6 in the fifth set. There is no quit in this group."

Jade Dudley-Epps led the team with a .333 hitting percentage, adding 12 kills. Isabela Tavares Salomon tallied 17 kills, and Jocelyn Paige anchored the net with eight block assists. As a team, DePaul hit .247 to Xavier's .149.

How it Happened
SET ONE | DePaul broke a 7-7 tie with a 4-0 run behind Polezzi's serve, capped by a Timme kill. Xavier pulled within one at 18-17, but the Blue Demons answered with a late 4-0 burst and closed it out 25-21 behind five first-set kills from Timme.

SET TWO | Xavier built a 12-6 lead, but DePaul clawed all the way back to tie it at 15 and briefly led 17-16. The Musketeers regained control down the stretch and held off a late DePaul push to win 25-23 and level the match.

SET THREE | After falling behind 4-1, DePaul reeled off four straight points with Timme serving to tie it and take control. The Blue Demons led 15-9 and cruised to a 25-13 win, getting three service aces and holding Xavier to just five kills.

SET FOUR | Xavier led for most of the fourth and built a 23-15 advantage. DePaul stormed back with a 6-0 run to get within 23-21, but the Musketeers answered and held on for a 25-22 win to force a fifth set.

SET FIVE | Trailing 6-3, DePaul used a 4-0 run behind Cahill's serve to grab a 7-6 lead. After Xavier tied it at 8, the Blue Demons ripped off five-straight points on Martina Diana's serve to lead 13-8, and Timme closed out the 15-11 win with her fifth kill of the set.

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 X, Instagram, and Facebook, or sign up for email updates and text alerts.

TICKET INFORMATION
Season ticket memberships are now live for the 2026 DePaul Volleyball season! Season ticket memberships include access to all 15 anticipated regular season matches at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Lincoln Park. Season tickets are available beginning at $79 for general admission and $129 for courtside seating! Want to bring your team to the match? Group ticket deposits are also available for parties of 10 or more. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets to reserve your seats today!