DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Volleyball to Host 2024 National Champions, Penn State
5/20/2026 11:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Blue Demons will host Nittany Lions at McGrath-Phillips Arena
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball announced Wednesday afternoon that they will play host to 2024 National Champions, Penn State, at McGrath-Phillips Arena on Monday, Sept. 7. The match closes out a weekend of elite volleyball in Chicago, including DePaul's first program match at Wintrust Arena against Nebraska. Admission to the Sept. 7 match is included in DePaul Volleyball season tickets.
"The DePaul volleyball program has hit an inflection point. Through the hard work of our student-athletes and the unwavering support of our administration, we have committed to building a culture centered on high performance," said head coach Marie Zidek. "Facing Penn State is a program-changing moment in what will be a very special weekend. This match signals our commitment to excellence. By competing against the nation's best, we are positioning DePaul for non-conference success and ensuring we are fully prepared for the challenges of the BIG EAST."
"Growing up on the south side of Chicago with Penn State's head coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, makes this weekend even more significant," said Zidek. "It's a showcase of elite volleyball led by two coaches who started right here in the grassroots of this city's longtime volleyball history. I admire Katie deeply, and celebrating the game's growth together by coaching versus one another will be special."
DePaul volleyball has established itself as a perennial competitor in the BIG EAST Conference, advancing to the league tournament in three of the last five seasons. Under the direction of head coach Marie Zidek, the Blue Demons have produced 13 all-conference selections and two individual conference award winners in the last seven seasons. Zidek and the Blue Demons coaching staff were recognized as the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021.
Led by Schumacher-Cawley, Penn State has eight program national championships including its most recent title in 2024. Schumacher-Cawley enters her fifth season at the helm of the program after taking over for long-time coach Russ Rose in 2022. Schumacher-Cawley, a Chicago native, played at Penn State from 1998-01 where she was a member of the Nittany Lion's first NCAA national championship team in 1999. Prior to college, Schumacher-Cawley played at Mother McAuley High School and was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. The Nittany Lions went 19-13 last season with a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
2026 VOLLEYBALL SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS
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, plus an opportunity to purchase tickets for the Wintrust Arena match against Nebraska. 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. Single game tickets will go on sale this Summer.
Visit https://depaulbluedemons.evenue.net/list/VB to reserve your seats today.
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.
"The DePaul volleyball program has hit an inflection point. Through the hard work of our student-athletes and the unwavering support of our administration, we have committed to building a culture centered on high performance," said head coach Marie Zidek. "Facing Penn State is a program-changing moment in what will be a very special weekend. This match signals our commitment to excellence. By competing against the nation's best, we are positioning DePaul for non-conference success and ensuring we are fully prepared for the challenges of the BIG EAST."
"Growing up on the south side of Chicago with Penn State's head coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, makes this weekend even more significant," said Zidek. "It's a showcase of elite volleyball led by two coaches who started right here in the grassroots of this city's longtime volleyball history. I admire Katie deeply, and celebrating the game's growth together by coaching versus one another will be special."
DePaul volleyball has established itself as a perennial competitor in the BIG EAST Conference, advancing to the league tournament in three of the last five seasons. Under the direction of head coach Marie Zidek, the Blue Demons have produced 13 all-conference selections and two individual conference award winners in the last seven seasons. Zidek and the Blue Demons coaching staff were recognized as the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021.
Led by Schumacher-Cawley, Penn State has eight program national championships including its most recent title in 2024. Schumacher-Cawley enters her fifth season at the helm of the program after taking over for long-time coach Russ Rose in 2022. Schumacher-Cawley, a Chicago native, played at Penn State from 1998-01 where she was a member of the Nittany Lion's first NCAA national championship team in 1999. Prior to college, Schumacher-Cawley played at Mother McAuley High School and was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. The Nittany Lions went 19-13 last season with a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
2026 VOLLEYBALL SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS
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, plus an opportunity to purchase tickets for the Wintrust Arena match against Nebraska. 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. Single game tickets will go on sale this Summer.
Visit https://depaulbluedemons.evenue.net/list/VB to reserve your seats today.
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.
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