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Western Illinois Tops DePaul



Western Illinois 3, DePaul 0 

MACOMB, Ill. – The DePaul volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (30-25, 30-28, 30-22) match to Western Illinois at the Pizza Hut Invitational, Friday at Western Hall.  The win for the Westerwinds (1-6) is their first this season, while the loss drops the Blue Demons to 1-6.

 

DePaul's best offensive effort was in game one as the team finished with a .250 attack percentage, but the Westerwinds matched the Blue Demon's efforts and registered a .318 attack percentage and a match-high 20 kills. DePaul tied the game eight times but was never able to take a lead as timely errors plagued the Blue Demons. Tied at 20, Western closed out the game on a 10-5 run and had three players finish with four kills apiece. Senior Denae Gibson led DePaul with four kills.

 

Western's Ashley Baker register seven of her match-high 16 kills in game two. Western took a 20-16 lead, but the Blue Demons rallied to take a  22-21 advantage on Gibson's kill; and sophomore Caitlin Callaghan served up an ace to extend DePaul's lead to 23-21.  The two teams traded points and tied the game at 28 before a Baker kill and a Blue Demons attack error gave Western a 30-28 victory.

 

The Westerwinds took their momentum into game three as they took an early lead and never looked  back winning the game 30-22 and the match.  Baker again paced the field again with five kills and a .300 attack percentage.

 

DePaul senior Ellen Hayes led all players with 19 digs and freshman setter Emily McGinnis chipped in 11 digs.  McGinnis finished the match with 34 assists and a service ace.

 

DePaul closes out the tournament with matches against Eastern Illinois and Butler on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.