SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Fighting Irish hosted its third consecutive season-opening tournament in Purcell Pavilion on Friday evening, where the Irish fell to Texas Tech 3-1 (16-25, 25-18, 17-25, 19-25).
Notre Dame had four freshmen see action in the opener, with freshman Avery Ross leading the way for the Irish with 13 kills and six digs in her Irish debut. Phyona Schrader finished with eight kills, while Kaylyn Winkler, Harmony Sample, and Lauren Tarnoff each chipped in six kills apiece. Hattie Monson led all players with 21 digs and Sample led the Irish with 17 assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set One
Notre Dame trailed early, getting off to a 0-3 start, but were able to bring it within four at the 8-12 mark. Despite the Irish’s late efforts, Texas Tech was able to close the set with a 6-3 run to win the first 25-16. Notre Dame finished the first set of the season with 10 kills.
Set Two
The Irish came out swinging to start the second, taking a 4-1 lead with kills from Kaylyn Winkler, Harmony Sample, and Phyona Schrader. Another kill from Schrader and a kill from Avery Ross helped the Irish extend their lead to 11-6. Texas Tech battled back to bring it within four (15-11), but three Irish kills would give Notre Dame the seven-point advantage. A Lucy Trump kill gave the Irish their first set win of the year.
Set Three
The Irish and Red Raiders began the third by swapping points, making it an even 3-3 start. Texas Tech would go on a 6-2 run to take the lead at 9-5, until Ross was able to put another one down to bring the score within three. A kill from Winkler brought it to 11-11, but the Red Raiders went on an 8-2 run to take the lead 19-13 and eventually went on to win set three 25-17.
Set Four
Similar to set three, it was back and forth action with the Irish and Red Raiders as it was tied up yet again at 3-3 to start set four. A kill from Ross brought the Irish back within one at 12-13, but Texas Tech responded with another run of their own to extend the lead 13-17. Notre Dame would battle back to make it a two-point game (17-19), but the Red Raiders would go on to take the win 25-19.
UP NEXT
- The Irish will face Mississippi State at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow in the second matchup of the Irish Invitational.
- To close out the tournament, Notre Dame hosts Milwaukee at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- 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.