DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake volleyball (24-10, 14-4) picked up their second sweep in as many NIVC matches with a 3-0 defeat of DePaul (18-15, 9-9) this evening. Drake overcame early deficits in all three sets to win 25-19, 25-20, 25-15.
 
Both teams felt their way through the opening stages of the first set until DePaul garnered the first real advantage. Drake got going when Kacie Rewerts combined with Taylor Oberpriller for a block. Rewerts' assist was the 460th of her career, setting a new program record.
 
The Blue Demons used a 5-1 run to take a 9-5 lead and force an early Bulldog timeout. Drake bounced back and reached 20-point mark first at 20-17 as the first set was competitive throughout. The Bulldogs closed the period on an Addison Beagle ace to win 25-19.
 
The second set kept the same theme as the two teams traded scores to begin the frame. DePaul inched in front to take 12-10 lead. A Bulldog rally evened the score at 16-all before an Oberpriller kill gave Drake a narrow 18-17 lead. Drake maintained their pace through the rest of the set as another Oberpriller score, her 10th of the night up to that point, ended the period 25-20.
 
The start of the third set followed suit as scores were swapped in the early moments. The Bulldogs worked their way to an 11-7 lead and forced a Blue Demon break after back-to-back Haley Bush kills. Drake kept their foot on the gas as DePaul was forced to burn another timeout after trailing 18-8.
 
The Bulldogs coasted through the rest of the stanza and earned a 25-15 set win and a 3-0 overall sweep, their second in as many NIVC matches.
 
Defensively, Kacie Rewerts and Jada Wills led all players with five blocks and 19 digs, respectively.
 
Madison Geise and Addison Beagle coordinated the offensive attack with 19 assists apiece. Beagle completed a double-double with 14 digs. Taylor Oberpriller matched the contest-high with 15 kills while Haley Bush added 14.
 
Drake will take on the winner of Friday's second round match between Wichita State and Tulsa. The date and location are to be determined.
 
 
NOTES

• Drake is now 9-2 at home this season.
• Drake is now 3-1 in NIVC home matches.
• Drake's win was just its second all-time against DePaul. The Blue Demons now lead the series 6-2.
• Kacie Rewerts led all players with five blocks.
• During the first set, Rewerts surpassed the all-time record for block assists. She now has 463.
• Taylor Oberpriller led Drake and matched the contest-high with 15 kills.
• Haley Bush added 14 kills.
• Both Madison Geise and Addison Beagle dished out 19 assists.
• Beagle completed a double-double with 14 digs.
• Jada Wills' 19 digs led all players.