Volleyball Sets Course for 2026 at Drake Invitational

Friday, August 28

Des Moines, Iowa

3 p.m.

DePaul University

Milwaukee

Volleyball Sets Course for 2026 at Drake Invitational

8/27/2026 4:39:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Blue Demons open regular season against a trio of veteran programs in Des Moines

DES MOINES, Iowa – DePaul volleyball is ready to set its course for the 2026 season as it travels to Iowa for the Drake Invitational, Aug. 28-30. The Blue Demons will take on a trio of veteran coaches across the three-day invite at the Knapp Center, facing Milwaukee, Drake and South Dakota each day this weekend. DePaul's Saturday match against Drake will stream live on ESPN+ at 12 p.m. CT, while the other matches will have live stats available here.

"The Drake Invitational was the first tournament I put on our schedule over a year ago," said head coach Marie Zidek. "I sought it out because of the caliber of teams entered. South Dakota returns nearly everyone from a season ago, when they went 20-9. UW-Milwaukee has added pieces that will make them tremendously competitive in the Horizon League, and home host Drake consistently puts together a team that plays high-level team volleyball and is always in the hunt for their league."

DePaul enters the 2026 season looking to build on a 14-13 overall record and 7-9 mark in BIG EAST play from a season ago. Sophomore Kendall Timme paces the returning group after leading the Blue Demons with 301 kills in 2025, followed by Morgan Stewart (257) and Jade Dudley-Epps (209). Setter Amanda Saeger, who ran the offense to the tune of 893 assists last fall, returns to direct the attack once again, while Eva Hurrle (369 digs) and Dudley-Epps (119 blocks) round out a group of proven contributors DePaul will lean on this fall.

"As we continue to place this program on a path of High Performance and chase the behaviors and milestones that actualize the idea of bringing the Dream of a BIG EAST Championship home, it was important during this Phase 3 of our growth iteration that our first tournament be against teams that are balanced, proven, and eager," said Zidek. "We must match the game that needs to be played, and we must be relentless in our pursuits."

Zidek enters her ninth season leading the Blue Demons after signing a contract extension this summer that will keep her at DePaul through 2030. Since taking over in December 2017, she has guided the program to five winning seasons in the last six years and DePaul's first three BIG EAST Tournament appearances (2021, 2023, 2024), reaching the semifinals each time. Her 2024 squad set a program record with 21 wins and advanced to the NIVC Great 8, the deepest postseason run in program history, and she now ranks third in program history with 107 career wins.

"As a team that will grow as the season goes on, challenges like this are part of the crucible we must go through together; and eventually learn to conquer," said Zidek. "I'm excited to see who steps up and how our team responds to these challenges. We have done the work to be in this fight; now it's time to see who we are and who we become inside the ring."

DePaul returns 13 letterwinners from last season and welcomes five newcomers to the roster, including freshmen Caroline Wright, Jocelyn Paige, Sage Meidroth and Catalina Alvizuri, along with transfer Leonor Polezzi. The Blue Demons were picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, led by sophomore outside hitter Timme, who was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team after earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year honors last season.

SCHEDULE | Drake Invitational | Des Moines, Iowa
Fri., Aug. 28 | vs. Milwaukee | 3 p.m. CT | Live Stats
Sat., Aug. 29 | @ Drake | 12 p.m. CT | ESPN+ | Live Stats
Sun., Aug. 30 | vs. South Dakota | 11 a.m. CT | Live Stats

Panther Prowl

Milwaukee was picked to finish fourth in the 2026 Horizon League Preseason Poll, posting an 11-7 league record a year ago before falling to IU Indy in the quarterfinals
Head coach Susie Johnson enters her 20th season at the helm with 316 career wins, six regular-season titles and four NCAA Tournament berths
Sophomore Josie Noble returns after earning Horizon League All-Freshman and All-League Second Team honors, leading the team with 233 kills and 118 blocks
DePaul trails Milwaukee 5-20-1 all-time, with its last win coming in 2024

Bulldog Breakdown

Drake enters 2026 off an 18-12 season and an MVC Tournament championship match appearance, picked No. 2 in this year's MVC Preseason Poll
Junior middle blocker Bliss Beck ranks second in program history in career hitting percentage (.338) and returns after posting 191 kills and 123 blocks in 2025
Setter Katie Quick (536 assists) headlines Drake's returning production
DePaul holds a 6-2 all-time edge in the series, though Drake has won the last two meetings

Coyote Chronicle

South Dakota went 20-9 in 2025 and was picked to finish tied for second in the Summit League, returning over 92% of its scoring from a year ago
Senior setter Avery Van Hook was one of five players nationally to record 1,000+ assists, 300+ digs and 100+ kills last season
Head coach Leanne Williamson enters her 13th season as the winningest coach in Summit League history

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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, 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.