Five years of playing Division I volleyball in her hometown has left DePaul’s Rachel Krasowski with plenty of memories.
Maybe the best for the Sandburg graduate: being chosen the Big East Conference’s Libero of the Year for the 2024 season.
“Honestly, I’m ecstatic about it,” Krasowski said. “I was at a loss for words when I heard about it. There were lots of tears and gratitude for me.
“This award is the cherry on top for my career. I couldn’t be happier and prouder. I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve received from my loved ones over the five years here at DePaul.”
The award was the first major regular-season honor for the Blue Demons since 2001. Krasowski earned it after leading the conference in digs; her 4.66 digs per set ranked 50th nationally.
Krasowski also became the all-time digs leader at DePaul with 2,455, and broke her own single-season digs record, finishing with 614. She earned AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention recognition for the second consecutive year.
“There is so much to remember,” Krasowski said. “It’s hard to find the words of what this means to me. DePaul has a great culture and our class did a very good job of turning this program around and this is what DePaul volleyball is supposed to be.
“I’m so proud of what we all accomplished and we put DePaul volleyball on the map. … I’m excited to see our freshmen take over the program and for them to let everyone know that DePaul is coming up and here to stay.”
Krasowski, who competed this season as a grad student,helped the Blue Demons finish 21-14 overall 10-8 in conference play. DePaul’s season ended on Dec. 9 with a 3-1 loss to Bowling Green in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship quarterfinakls. It’s the deepest a Blue Demon volleyball team has advanced in a postseason tournament, and the most wins for the program since 2001.
“This group was on a mission,” Krasowski said. “This was very special and a great way to end my career. We wanted to leave our mark and leave the jersey better than we found it.
“The ability this group had was unreal. We were able to adapt and overcome and push through and getting (21) wins was unbelievable. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else. These girls are so amazing and I’m so grateful for all of them.”
Krasowski, a four-time member of the BIG EAST’s All-Academic Team, has an undergraduate degree in finance with a master’s degree in business analytics.
“I was always a student before an athlete and I wanted to work just as hard in the classroom as on the court,” Krasowski said. “Coming to DePaul, I wanted to play volleyball and there are also so many opportunities in the city of Chicago.
“I wanted to set myself up for a successful future. Student-athletes can do a lot while also succeeding in the classroom. I think that’s super cool.”
On the run
Illinois Wesleyan cross country runner Emma McGrath (Oak Lawn) was named to the All-CCIW Second Team for the 2024 season.
The senior ran a personal-best 23 minutes, 13.04 seconds at the CCIW Championships last month, finishing 19th.