Oct. 7, 2016
By Robby Hamman
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Notre Dame volleyball head coach Jim McLaughlin earned the 600th victory of his collegiate career on Friday evening, as the Irish defeated Syracuse by a final of 3-0 to improve to 5-0 in the ACC and 14-3 on the season. Notre Dame extends its win streak to a season-high six matches and has won 10 of its last 11 contests.
Of McLaughlin’s 600 victories, 458 have come on the women’s side, including a national title in 2005 with Washington. The 27-year veteran also won a national championship with a men’s program in 1990 with USC. McLaughlin is the only collegiate coach to ever win NCAA titles as a head coach of both a men’s and women’s team.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Notre Dame got off to a great start against the Orange, taking the first set by a score of 25-16. The Irish have now won the opening frame in five consecutive outings. The second stanza was tight throughout, as neither team was able to create separation on the scoreboard. Syracuse led 24-22 and had two set points to level the match but the Irish dug deep and won each of the last four points to claim the set 26-24 and take a 2-0 lead on the evening.
After escaping the second set the Irish had all the momentum in the match and it showed in the third set. Notre Dame dominated from the first serve of the frame and cruised to a 25-10 victory to earn its ninth sweep of the season and third in conference play.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Caroline Holt did a phenomenal job of orchestrating the Irish attack on Friday evening, as the junior finished with 41 assists in just three sets of play. With the performance Holt further solidified her mark as the ACC’s top setter as she leads the conference in assists. Holt also added nine digs and two kills.
NOTRE DAME STAT OF THE MATCH
The Irish attack was far superior to Syracuse on Friday evening, as Notre Dame recorded 49 kills while limiting the Orange to just 31. Syracuse was held to a hitting percentage of .094 while the Irish hit .285 for the match.
NOTES OF THE MATCH
- Notre Dame’s 14-3 record marks the best start since 2005 and its 5-0 ACC mark is the best in program history.
- The Irish are now 22-7 against Syracuse in the all-time series.
- Notre Dame has won six straight matches and 10 of its last 11.
- The Irish improve to 7-1 when playing away from Purcell Pavilion in 2016.
- Nine of Notre Dame’s 14 wins have been in straight sets.
- Jemma Yeadon led the Irish with 12 kills.
- Ryann DeJarld led the team with 15 digs, marking her 14th match with double digit digs.
UP NEXT
The Irish travels to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts to face Boston College at noon on Sunday, Oct. 9. Notre Dame then returns to Purcell Pavilion to host No. 10 North Carolina at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14 and NC State at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.
To purchase tickets visit UND.com/BuyTickets.
— ND —
Robby Hamman joined Fighting Irish Media as athletics communications assistant director in September 2016, coordinating efforts for the volleyball and men’s lacrosse program. Hamman is a 2010 graduate of Bethel College, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in sport management and business administration, and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Defiance College in 2013.