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DePaul Finishes Fourth at the Chicagoland Classic
Aug. 28, 2010 CHICAGO- The DePaul volleyball team struggled against Loyola-Chicago on Saturday in the Consolation Match of the Chicagoland Classic at McGrath Arena. The Ramblers took home a 3-0 (25-9, 25-19, 25-15) victory and finished the tournament in third place, while the Blue Demons (0-2) were fourth. Loyola (1-1) capitalized on a .296 (50-16-115) hitting percentage and were led by Mallory Curran and Natalie Pounovich. Curran totaled eight kills with a hitting percentage of .583 (8-1-12) and Pounovich finished with 12 kills for a .524 (12-1-21) percentage. Freshman Chelsea Kirkpatrick again led DePaul with a strong performance which landed her a spot on the All-Tournament team. The freshman totaled eight kills and 10 digs while Katherine Knutson led the team with 18 digs. The Blue Demons managed just five kills in the first set which the Ramblers won 25-9. DePaul was forced to use both of its timeouts early as the Blue Demons were unable to find their offensive rhythm. Conversely, the Ramblers offensive attack proved to be too much and Pounovich tallied her fifth kill of the set to seal the Loyola victory. The Blue Demons played much better in the second stanza with Kirkpatrick leading the way. The freshman gave DePaul its first point with a blast to the back right corner; however, DePaul was again unable to string together its offense and finished the frame with just seven kills. Down 12-8 in the second set, Kirkpatrick put the Blue Demons on her back by knocking down a kill which pulled DePaul with three. The freshman then served for six straight Blue Demon points which gave DePaul a 15-12 advantage and the set's momentum. However the Ramblers battled and tied the set at 15 and then closed out the stanza on a 10-4 run. The Blue Demons fought for every point in the third set. However, Loyola-Chicago delivered an offensive attack which totaled 17 kills on an impressive .364 (17-5-33) hitting percentage. The match ended, 25-15, on a Kill by Curran to the back left corner. Colleen Francis, who was named to the All-Tournament Team led Loyola with 16 kills and 16 digs. The Blue Demons return to the court against Austin Peay on Sept. 4 at the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational at 1 p.m. DePaul is also scheduled to face IUPUI, Wright State and Western Michigan during the two-day tournament. Notes: Christy Landschoot's 15 assists moves her to 2,479 career assists which is 337 away from fourth on DePaul's all- time record... Sheila Carroll is fourth on the all-time list with 2,816... Loyola-Chicago is now 26-9 all-time against the Blue Demons... Katherine Knutson's 18 digs put her in double digits for the second straight match... Chelsea Kirkpatrick was the only freshman to make All-Tournament team... Kirkpatrick led the team for the second straight match with eight kills... DePaul had seven total team blocks.
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