DePaul University Athletics
Saturday, August 22
Chicago, Ill.
3 p.m.
DePaul University
vs
Iowa
DePaul Closes Preseason Slate Against Iowa at Home
8/21/2026 4:24:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
First of three Big Ten opponents on 2026 slate
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball closes out its preseason schedule Saturday, Aug. 22, hosting Iowa at McGrath-Phillips Arena. The matchup marks the Blue Demons' only home contest of the preseason following an Aug. 15 exhibition at Northern Illinois. First serve is set for 3 p.m. CT, with admission free for this match only.
"This year is unique for NCAA Division I volleyball with the opportunity to play up to two exhibition matches, and we've really tried to make the most of that," said head coach Marie Zidek. "NIU gave us a chance to get on the road, go through a full match-day routine and give everyone valuable experience in competition.
Saturday's match marks the first of three Big Ten opponents on the schedule this season, with the Blue Demons set to host AVCA preseason No. 1 Nebraska at Wintrust Arena on Sept. 4 and No. 10 Penn State at McGrath-Phillips Arena on Sept. 7.
"The Iowa match is another great test for us," said Zidek. "They're physical at the net, and that's the kind of opponent that challenges you to stay composed, extend rallies and earn points through strong team play."
Sophomore outside hitter Kendall Timme headlines a returning group of 13 letterwinners after earning Preseason All-BIG EAST honors earlier this week. Timme was one of four unanimous selections to the 13-member team after a standout freshman campaign that saw her earn BIG EAST Freshman of the Year honors. She led all league rookies in kills (3.29/set), points (4.01/set) and aces (0.45/set), while also averaging 2.53 digs and 0.50 blocks per set.
The Blue Demons were picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, collecting 62 points. No. 13 Creighton was selected as the preseason favorite with 100 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by RV Villanova (86), RV Marquette (82) and Xavier (75).
Hawkeye Report
Series History
"For our group, it's a chance to keep building an identity centered on discipline, grittiness and growth," said Zidek. "With opening weekend at Drake coming up, we know we're going to have to play strong team volleyball and compete for every point. Finishing the exhibition schedule against Iowa will push us in the right ways and help prepare us for the three matches ahead and, ultimately, for BIG EAST play."
UP NEXT
DePaul begins its 2026 regular season campaign Aug. 28-30 at the Drake Invitational. The Blue Demons will take on Milwaukee, Drake and South Dakota in the three day tournament.
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
STUDENT TICKETS for the 2026 season go on sale tomorrow, Aug. 22, at 12 p.m. with add-ons available for $15.
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. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets to reserve your seats today!
Tickets for DePaul's Sept. 4 matchup against Nebraska at Wintrust Arena are also on sale now. Courtside seating, premium options and group packages are available. Fans can purchase tickets through the DePaul Ticket Office or visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets for more information.
"This year is unique for NCAA Division I volleyball with the opportunity to play up to two exhibition matches, and we've really tried to make the most of that," said head coach Marie Zidek. "NIU gave us a chance to get on the road, go through a full match-day routine and give everyone valuable experience in competition.
Saturday's match marks the first of three Big Ten opponents on the schedule this season, with the Blue Demons set to host AVCA preseason No. 1 Nebraska at Wintrust Arena on Sept. 4 and No. 10 Penn State at McGrath-Phillips Arena on Sept. 7.
"The Iowa match is another great test for us," said Zidek. "They're physical at the net, and that's the kind of opponent that challenges you to stay composed, extend rallies and earn points through strong team play."
Sophomore outside hitter Kendall Timme headlines a returning group of 13 letterwinners after earning Preseason All-BIG EAST honors earlier this week. Timme was one of four unanimous selections to the 13-member team after a standout freshman campaign that saw her earn BIG EAST Freshman of the Year honors. She led all league rookies in kills (3.29/set), points (4.01/set) and aces (0.45/set), while also averaging 2.53 digs and 0.50 blocks per set.
The Blue Demons were picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, collecting 62 points. No. 13 Creighton was selected as the preseason favorite with 100 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by RV Villanova (86), RV Marquette (82) and Xavier (75).
Hawkeye Report
- Iowa enters its 2026 campaign under fifth-year head coach Jim Barnes, who took over the program in December 2021 as the 11th head coach in school history.
- Last season was Iowa's best since 2016, as the Hawkeyes finished 15-17 overall (6-14 Big Ten) and posted their best home record in nearly a decade.
- Middle blocker Hannah Whittingstall returns after leading the team with 2.68 points per set and earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors, while outside hitter Carmel Vares, who led the squad in hitting in seven matches as a freshman, also returns after totaling 2.82 points per set a year ago.
Series History
- The Blue Demons hold a 2-6 all-time record against Iowa, with the series dating back to 1979.
- Both wins came by 3-0 sweeps, on Oct. 20, 1979 in DeKalb, Ill., and Aug. 28, 1987 in Chicago.
- The series sits 1-1 at home and 0-3 on the road, with the two teams also having met twice on neutral courts.
"For our group, it's a chance to keep building an identity centered on discipline, grittiness and growth," said Zidek. "With opening weekend at Drake coming up, we know we're going to have to play strong team volleyball and compete for every point. Finishing the exhibition schedule against Iowa will push us in the right ways and help prepare us for the three matches ahead and, ultimately, for BIG EAST play."
UP NEXT
DePaul begins its 2026 regular season campaign Aug. 28-30 at the Drake Invitational. The Blue Demons will take on Milwaukee, Drake and South Dakota in the three day tournament.
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
STUDENT TICKETS for the 2026 season go on sale tomorrow, Aug. 22, at 12 p.m. with add-ons available for $15.
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. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets to reserve your seats today!
Tickets for DePaul's Sept. 4 matchup against Nebraska at Wintrust Arena are also on sale now. Courtside seating, premium options and group packages are available. Fans can purchase tickets through the DePaul Ticket Office or visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets for more information.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALLFriday, October 24
Sunday, September 21
Wednesday, September 17
Sunday, September 14