The DePaul volleyball program will compete for the title of Chicago’s best collegiate volleyball team this weekend at the Chicagoland Classic hosted by Loyola. The Blue Demons will face UIC on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and Northwestern and Loyola on
Match Notes
CHICAGO- The DePaul volleyball program will compete for the title of Chicago’s best collegiate volleyball team this weekend at the Chicagoland Classic hosted by Loyola. The Blue Demons will face UIC on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and Northwestern and Loyola on Saturday at noon and 7:30, respectively. The tournament will be held at Loyola’s Gentile Center and admission is free.
"We are fired up about this weekend and we are always excited to play the Chicago area teams," DePaul Head Coach Dawn Dockstader said.
"As coaches we recruit the same players and most of our women know one another from high school and club teams. The Chicagoland Classic is a place where high school rivalries are renewed and college ones grow."
DePaul (4-0) is one of 48 NCAA to start the season with a perfect record. The Blue Demons blew threw their first four matches with ease, only losing two games and holding their opponents to an average of 21.9 points per game.
As a result of their domination, the Blue Demons have broken into the NCAA volleyball statistics for the first time since 2001. The defense is currently ranked 20th in the nation, averaging a league- best 19.5 digs per game. Senior setter, Amie West is currently ranked 18th in assists, averaging 13.54 per game.
Last weekend, senior middle blocker, Janet Goreham helped DePaul capture the Mizuno Wildcat Classic crown. The senior was named tournament MVP after recording a .425 hitting percentage and tallying 38 kills, 38 digs, 16 total blocks and three service aces. Seniors Amy Holmes and Amie West joined Goreham on the All-Tournament roster.
The Other Benches
Illinois-Chicago
Friday, September 10 - 5:00 p.m.
UIC got off to a rocky start falling in four of its first six matches. The Flames are led by senior outside hitter Jordan Studzinski who averages 2.95 kills per game.
In last season meeting the Blue Demons dropped the Flames 3-0 and had their best hitting performance of the season. They hit a smoldering .434 and recorded 52 kills. DePaul holds a 14-11 advantage in the series.
The Blue Demons will see a familiar face in UIC’s head Coach Nancy Mueller. Mueller the former head coach at USF (1999-2003) and has a record of 3-2 against DePaul.
Northwestern
Saturday, September 11 - Noon
Northwestern a young team led by underclassman, particularly by sophomore Stephanie Jurvich who averages 3.64 kills a game and recorded 40 putaways. The Wildcats (2-1) only loss of the season came against No. 4 Florida last weekend at the NU Labor Day Invite.
The Blue Demons last faced Northwestern in 2002, dropping the match, 3-1. The Wildcats hold a 14-7 series advantage.
Loyola
Saturday, September 11 – 7:30 p.m.
The Ramblers are off to a 1-3 start with their lone win coming against North Texas. Loyola is led senior setter Lauren Holbrook. Holbrook averages 11.71 assists per game and has tallied 164 assists this season.
The Blue Demons defeated Loyola last season for the first time in 13 years, however the Ramblers hold the series advantage at 17-8.
National Numbers
The Blue Demon defense is currently ranked 20th in the nation averaging a league best 19.5 digs per game. Senior setter Amie West is ranked 18th in the nation for assists per game, averaging 13.54 per game. This is the first time since 2001 the Blue Demons have broken into the national statistics.
Success in North Carolina
The Blue Demons captured the Mizuno Wildcat Classic Crown on September 5th in Davidson N.C. DePaul defeated Florida Atlantic (3-0), Virginia Commonwealth (3-1) and host Davidson (3-0) to earn the championship honors. The team averaged 16.90 kills, 16.10 assists and 21.20 digs during their three matches.
Goreham Gathers Honor
Senior Middle Blocker, Janet Goreham was named the MVP of the Mizuno Wildcat Classic in Davidson, N.C. The senior compiled a .425 hitting percentage and tallied 38 kills and digs, 16 total blocks and three service aces over during the tournament.
The Amie’s
Seniors Amy Holmes and Amie West were named to the Mizuno Wildcat Classic All-Tournament roster. Holmes finished the weekend with 37 kills, 48 digs and two blocks. West averaged 15.0 assists per game and tallied 135 assists over 10 games.
Undefeated Demons
DePaul opened it season with a perfect 4-0 record for the first time since the 2001 season. The 2001 team, started the season 9-0 and finished with a 24-9 record and made the programs second NCAA Tournament appearance.
Down on Dig
The Blue Demons lead Conference USA in digs per game. DePaul is averaging 19.50 digs per game, 2.94 digs more than any other C-USA school. Amy Holmes leads the team and averages 4.07 digs per game and is ranked sixth in C-USA.
More from Moorberg
Junior outside hitter Mandy Moorberg leads the team in total kills, tallying 59 putaways. She is also averaging a team high 4.21 kills per game which ranks her as the sixth-best hitter in C-USA. Moorberg holds the team’s season record for most kills in a match (25), most attempts (61) and most points 26.5
Ace in the Hole
Senior Amy Holmes found the defensive holes during the Chicago State match. The senior notched five of the teams nine aces.
Finding the Hitter
Senior setter Amie West set a new career best "assisting" 71 hitters find the wood against Virgina Commonwealth. West is 20 assists from taking over the No. 3 position held by Shelia Carroll (1991-1994) who amassed 2,816 assists as a Blue Demon.
The Class of 2008
Red shirt freshman Aly Zavitz was joined by true freshmen Mandi Caputo, Stacy Pando and Maureen Zigulich this season. Zavitz and Pando are middle blockers, Caputo a setter and Zigulich becomes DePaul first true libero.
