DePaul Bested by Auburn 3-1 to Close Weekend

Sunday, September 13

Chicago, Ill.

2 p.m.

DePaul University

6-3,0-0Big East

Auburn

7-2,0-0SEC

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Auburn	23	25	25	25	3
DePaul	25	20	15	12	1

9/13/2026 5:10:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Timme, Tavares Salomon lead Blue Demons in four-set battle

CHICAGO – Despite a statement first-set win by the Blue Demons, DePaul volleyball fell 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-12) to Auburn Sunday afternoon at McGrath-Phillips Arena to close out the DePaul Invitational. The Blue Demons entered the day riding consecutive sweeps and carried that momentum into the opening frame, but a veteran Auburn squad found its footing and took over from there.

"Our group came out of the gate locked into our style of play while protecting it on the other side of the ball," said head coach Marie Zidek. "We did a great job early of establishing our block and counterattack, and we played so well for about a set and a half. Then, hats off to Auburn, their role players stepped up in big ways with kills, digs, and ace serves. We became more limited as the match went on, and they piled on the pressure."

Kendall Timme paced DePaul with 15 kills, followed by Isabela Tavares-Salomon with 11 and Martina Diana with six. Leonor Polezzi ran the offense with 34 assists, and Nora Mannion led the defense with 16 digs. Auburn was led by Greer Chambless' match-high 17 kills, with Belle Patrick and Anastasija Ivkovic adding 12 apiece. Auburn out-hit DePaul .271 to .124 for the match and won the block battle 8-5.

"There's a lot to build from this match, and it was still a very successful weekend overall," said Zidek. "What a wonderful place to be right now, sitting with the belief, and the proof, that we can win and hang with the top teams from the top leagues. If we're dedicated and mature about turning these lessons into a stronger team that can sustain our level of play longer, we'll be dangerous by the end of the month when Big East play starts."

How it Happened
SET ONE | DePaul jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind early attack errors from Auburn and a kill from Diana, and never let go. The Blue Demons pushed the advantage to 24-19 before the Tigers strung together a late rally, pulling within two at 24-22. DePaul closed it out on a Timme kill to take the opener, 25-23.

SET TWO | Auburn set the tone early and built its largest cushion of the set at 13-18. DePaul clawed back within one at 20-21 behind a Tigers attack error and a kill from Diana, but Auburn answered with four straight to close it out, 25-20.

SET THREE | The Tigers controlled the frame throughout, but DePaul refused to go quietly, fending off two set points at 13-24 and 14-24 with kills from Polezzi and Epps. Auburn finished it off on the next serve, 25-15.

SET FOUR | Auburn built an early cushion and was in firm control down 15-8, stretching the lead as large as 22-12. DePaul kept fighting to chip away at the gap, but couldn't shake the errors that had crept into its game in time, and the Tigers closed out the match, 25-12.

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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!