CHICAGO — Jaali Winters had 18 kills as Creighton clinched its fourth consecutive 20-win season Saturday with a 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-19 victory against DePaul.
The Bluejays (20-8, 14-1) moved closer to clinching the Big East regular-season title, too. With three matches remaining, including Friday’s against second-place Xavier (15-10, 11-3), Creighton has a 2½-game lead in the standings.
After a first-set victory in which they never trailed, the Bluejays lost a 15-11 advantage in the second. The Blue Demons (15-12, 3-11) used an 8-1 run to pull ahead, but Creighton rebounded in the third set to take control.
“I love the resolve of this team, that even if not everything’s going perfectly, they stay composed, compete and figure out ways to win,” coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth said in a press release. “I think that’s the reason this is a special group.”
The Bluejays used an 11-5 run to clinch the final frame.
Marysa Wilkinson added 13 kills for CU, and Jess Bird had 11.
Creighton (20-8, 14-1) ............................................. 25 22 25 25
At DePaul (15-12, 3-11) ........................................... 22 25 23 19
CU (kills-aces-blocks): Jansen 1-1-0, Winters 18-1-1, Wilkinson 13-0-2, Kloth 10-0-1, Bird 11-0-1, Smith 7-0-6, O’Connell 2-0-1, Baumert 1-0-2, Foje 0-1-0, Elman 0-3-0. Totals 63-6-8.
