The Fighting Irish fell in their second match of the year to the Mississippi State Bulldogs in game two of the Irish Invitational. Falling the three sets (19-25, 16-25, 18-25), Notre Dame drops to 0-2 on the season. For the second night in a row, freshman Avery Ross led the Irish with nine kills, followed by sophomore Phyona Schrader with six and freshman Lucy Trump who tallied five. Junior Hattie Monson also recorded 12 digs for the Irish.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs came out swinging, taking the early lead 5-0. Mississippi State built a 10 point lead (16-6), until the Irish responded with a 13-5 run of their own. The run was initiated by kills from Trump and Schrader and Notre Dame was able to bring it within two (21-19). The Bulldog offense caught fire and closed the set with four straight points to take the win 25-19.
The Irish and Bulldogs were back and forth to start the second, tying it up at 5-5. A kill from Schrader allowed the Irish to keep it within three (10-7) but the Bulldogs began to pull away after going on a 10-1 run to take the lead 20-8. Despite the Irish going on a 6-2 run, the Bulldogs were able to claim set two 25-16.
Yet again, the Irish and Bulldogs swapped points to the begin the third, making it an even 5-5 from a Trump kill. After another kill from Schrader, the set was tied up again at 10-10, but Mississippi State would go on a 6-0 run to take the lead 16-10. The Irish brought it with two (16-14), but struggled to slow down the Bulldog offense for eventual final score of 25-18.
UP NEXT
- The Irish are back at home tomorrow as they take on Milwaukee at 2 p.m. in the final match of the Irish Invitational.
- Three signed volleyballs will be given away at Sunday’s match against Milwaukee.
- The Irish are on the road on Sept. 2-3 as they travel to Long Beach, California to face Boise State and Long Beach State.