University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
11-2,0-1Big East
DePaul
8-4,1-0Big East
Volleyball Drops Conference Opener to DePaul
9/26/2025 10:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CHICAGO, Ill.— UConn volleyball was defeated by DePaul in four sets on Friday night (29-31, 18-25, 25-14, 23-25) in the conference opener for both teams.
UConn jumped out to an early 5-2 lead, fueled by three early kills from Emma Werkmeister (Victor, N.Y.) and an ace from McKenna Brand (Lucas, Texas). Audrey Rome (Sandwich, Ill.) and Loren Winn (Dallas, Texas) each got on the board with kills, pacing the UConn attack. The Huskies took a 15-13 lead into the first media timeout, with Rome and Doga Kutlu (Ankara, Turkey) combining for a block. The sides traded leads down the stretch of the first set, with DePaul tying the score at 20-20 after Werkmeister's seventh kill of the frame gave the Huskies a brief advantage. Grace Maria (Arlington, Va.) fired in a clutch kill to get UConn to set point, but DePaul responded to tie the score at 24-24. A thrilling first set went DePaul's way, with the Blue Demons taking the frame, 31-29.
Rome contributed two terminations and Brenna Wyman (Louisville, Ky.) poured in the fourth UConn ace of the night to get the Huskies in front 7-5 in the second set. DePaul tied the score at 10-10 after multiple kills from Morgan Stewart. The Blue Demons took control of the second set, stretching their lead 18-14 after multiple attack errors from UConn, pushing the Huskies into a timeout. DePaul continued its relentless attack, with contributions from Kendall Timme and Yagmur Yavuz leading the Blue Demons to a 25-18 second set victory.
The Huskies came out firing in the third set, with Werkmeister and Rome leading UConn to an early 8-1 lead. Jess Perry (Nashville, Tn.) extended the third frame advantage for the visitors to 15-7 with her first two kills of the night. UConn kept the pressure on the Blue Demons, with Rome and Werkmeister leading the Huskies to a 25-14 third set victory.
DePaul regained momentum in the fourth set, with kills from Timme and Stewart getting the hosts out to an 8-4 lead. Jordyn Hughes (Portage, Mich.) and Hanna Tylska (Sroda Wielkopolska, Poland) each had kills to bring the Huskies within one at 10-9. Eva Hurrle poured in an ace for DePaul, as the Blue Demons extended their advantage to 15-10. Timme and Jade Epps kept the hosts in front with a kill apiece, moving the DePaul lead to 18-14. An ace from Isabella Suhy (Toledo, Ohio) and Werkmeister's 20th kill of the night cut the DePaul lead to 22-20. Werkmeister's first ace of the night brought the Huskies even at 22-22 but it would not be enough, as DePaul took the set 25-23 to win the match.
Werkmeister had 20 kills for the Huskies in the defeat. Rome tied a career-high with 14 kills. Timme led DePaul with 20 terminations in the victory.
The Huskies return to action tomorrow night at 7:00pm against Marquette.
