A week after dominating non-conference play, the UConn volleyball team takes on DePaul and Marquette this weekend in two Big East matchups.
Three Huskies had strong performances at the UConn Classic with seniors Emma Werkmeister and Audrey Rome and junior Grace Maria named to the UConn Classic All-Tournament Team. Rome was also named Big East Defensive Player of the Week for her performances against Brown, Marist and Sacred Heart.
Werkmeister averaged 3.22 kills, 2 digs and 0.89 aces per set. Maria averaged 2.33 kills and 1.22 digs per set and Rome achieved 15 blocks during the UConn Classic last weekend.
UConn will matchup against DePaul on Friday, Sept. 26, with UConn leading DePaul 10-5 since October 2007. The Huskies will then meet with Marquette on Saturday, Sept. 27, with a record of 3-13 since November 2006.
UConn got swept by DePaul and Marquette 3-0 in their previous matchups last season.
DePaul enters the matchup 7-4 with losses against Illinois State, UTSA, Lindenwood and UIC. Marquette enters the matchup 6-4 with losses against San Diego University, Ball State, No. 7 Wisconsin and No. 12 Minnesota.
DePaul is on a one-game win streak while Marquette enters the contest on a one-game losing streak.
An opposing player to look out for is DePaul freshman Morgan Stewart. Stewart has 167 points and 138 kills on the year in just 11 games. The freshman is also a strong defender with 94 digs, 10 receptions and 23 blocks.
An opposing player from Marquette to look out for is senior Natalie Ring. Ring has 202.5 points and 79 kills on offense while also having 67 digs and 15 blocks of defense.
UConn opened the season 11-1; their only loss of the year was to Yale, 3-2. Since then, the Huskies have bounced back immensely with a 3-2 win against Fairfield and sweeps against Northeastern, Brown, Marist and Sacred Heart.
Werkmeister has been one of the Huskies’ strongest players on attack, accruing 196 points and 159 kills in just 12 games. Maria has also been on fire this season from attack, achieving 130.5 points and 106 kills.
Defensively, McKenna Brand, Doga Kutlu and Rome have excelled. Brand has notched 163 digs and 8 receptions, Kutlu has 103 digs and 13 blocks and Rome has 39 blocks across 12 games. Werkmeister has also been great defensively with 84 digs, 15 receptions and 13 blocks.
The match versus DePaul will be in Chicago, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, and the match versus Marquette will be in Milwaukee on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m.
Viewers can watch the games online on ESPN+.