Blue Demons Fight in Front of Record Crowd Against No. 1 Nebraska

Friday, September 4

Chicago, Ill.

5 p.m.

DePaul University

4-1,0-0Big East

Nebraska

4-0,0-0Big Ten

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Nebraska	25	25	25	3
DePaul	19	13	15	0

Blue Demons Fight in Front of Record Crowd Against No. 1 Nebraska

9/4/2026 8:11:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

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State of Illinois attendance record set at Wintrust Arena Friday evening

CHICAGO – In front of a state of Illinois volleyball attendance record, DePaul volleyball showed its fight to the end against top-ranked Nebraska Friday evening at Wintrust Arena. In front of a crowd of 8,786 - Nebraska won 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-15). DePaul was led by Kendall Timme with 12 kills, while setter Leonor Polezzi had 25 assists and two service aces.

"This was definitely a moment to remember," said head coach Marie Zidek. "I thought our administration, gameday team and everybody from DePaul worked so hard to put on a first-class, world-class event. I took a moment to soak it in, then locked in for the first rally. Danny [Busboom Kelly] agreed. In the handshake after the match, she thanked us for putting on a first-class event and said we competed very well."

As a team, DePaul opened the match hitting .308 in the first set - the best hitting percentage by an unranked team against No. 1 Nebraska in nearly a year dating back to Sept. 24, 2025.

"Part of our philosophy is to teach the game at a really high level, and a lot of skill sets had to catch up. Coming in against a team like Nebraska, which holds opponents to .089 attack efficiency, we knew we'd have to take some risks on the attack and go after the edges of the court. That required serve-reception and dig-to-transition skill, and our hitters had to keep going for it without getting tentative. They did a brilliant job. It's the best we've ever passed in a match in terms of serve reception, the highest efficiency we've had this year. That shows me the team is ready to meet these bigger moments and the level of volleyball we'll need to play."

How it Happened
SET ONE | DePaul opened the match strong with a 5-3 lead, behind a pair of kills by Isabela Tavares Salomon. The teams continued trading points as the Blue Demons stayed even with Nebraska at 13 all. After a 5-1 Huskers run, DePaul called a timeout, before a kill from Martina Diana brought the Blue Demons within three, 18-15. Nebraska edged ahead, 22-16, before Timme and Diana responded with back-to-back kills. Nebraska scored three of the final four points for the first set win.

SET TWO | Nora Mannion notched her first ace of the match, tying the second set at two apiece. DePaul continued to find an answer for the Huskers early, keeping the match tied at 4-4 after a kill by Jade Dudley-Epps. Nebraska responded with a 5-1 run, before freshman Jocelyn Paige recorded a solo block in her first collegiate start. DePaul ultimately couldn't slow the Huskers offense, as Nebraska took the second set.

SET THREE | DePaul showed great resolve, opening the third set 3-2 on a block by Tavares Salomon and Dudley-Epps for the Blue Demons' first lead since the opening frame. DePaul continued finding a response, staying within one point, 13-12, on a kill by Dudley-Epps and Husker error. Nebraska fired off three unanswered points, building a lead they would ultimately hold to secure the match.

"The score wasn't indicative of how close that match was and how many points we were in, which tells me our next crucible is playing volleyball at our high end," said Zidek. "We have to pass well, attack what we want to attack for points, and keep our defense, coverage, and rally extension just as high, with our service game still used as a weapon. All in all, this team did a phenomenal job representing DePaul, and I'm really proud of them and excited to see what we can build from here."

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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!