Nov. 5, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – After another perfect weekend on the court for the University of Notre Dame volleyball team, the BIG EAST has recognized freshman Taylor Morey and junior Maggie Brindock for their efforts in helping the Irish to wins over Seton Hall and Rutgers on the road. Morey earned her second freshman of the week scroll, while Brindock received a spot on the weekly honor roll for the second time in three weeks.
Morey, who earned BIG EAST Freshman of the Week accolades on Aug. 27 after the team’s opening weekend in Nebraska, had 44 digs, 15 assists and two service aces in eight sets over the weekend. On Saturday, the Muncie, Ind., product tallied 21 digs, seven assists and two service aces in a 3-1 win over the Pirates. On Sunday, Morey recorded 23 digs and eight assists in a 3-1 win at Rutgers. The eight assists against the Scarlet Knights tied a career high that was previously set against Georgetown on Oct. 19.
For the year, Morey has led or tied for the team lead in digs in 23 of the team’s 25 matches and has hit double-digits in digs in 23 of the 25 matches. She has eight 20-plus dig matches, including five in conference play, and is averaging 4.29 digs per set for the season and 4.35 in conference matches.
Brindock, who earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Oct. 22, received her second honor after recording 16 kills, 89 assists, 22 digs and seven blocks in two wins. Against the Pirates she had four kills, 51 assists and 11 digs, before tallying a triple-double with 12 kills, 38 assists and 11 digs in the win over the Scarlet Knights.
The triple-double was only the 22nd in school history and the first since 2004. The Rockwall, Texas, native has 16 matches this season with 30 or more assists, including five with 50 or more. She sits second in league play in assists per set for conference matches with a 10.82 average.
Notre Dame (19-6, 12-1 BIG EAST) returns home next Friday, Nov. 9 for Senior Day against Cincinnati. Senior Day festivities honoring Hilary Eppink and Marie Roof will get underway just minutes before the 7 p.m. first serve. The Irish will then head to Milwaukee, Wis., for a 2 p.m. (ET) Sunday matchup with Marquette.
The Irish can be seeded no lower than No. 3 in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament, but would secure the No. 1 seed and at least a share of the BIG EAST regular-season title with a pair of wins. Louisville and Marquette also sit at 12-1 entering next weekend and have clinched at least a top-three seed in the BIG EAST Tournament. If Marquette beats Louisville on Friday and Notre Dame wins, the two would meet on Sunday with the No. 1 seed on the line.
With one more win next weekend, a pair of milestones would occur. The Irish would hit 20 wins for the first time since 2009 and Brown would reach 500 wins as the leader of the Irish volleyball program. Earlier this season Brown reached 600 career wins with a 3-1 lead over Buffalo on Sept. 1.
2012 BIG EAST Weekly Honorees
Taylor Morey
Aug. 27 – Freshman of the Week
Nov. 5 – Freshman of the Week
Jeni Houser
Aug. 27 – Weekly Honor Roll
Oct. 8 – Weekly Honor Roll
Toni Alugbue
Sept. 3 – Weekly Honor Roll
Sept. 10 – Weekly Honor Roll
Sept. 17 – Weekly Honor Roll
Sept. 24 – Player of the Week
Maggie Brindock
Oct. 22 – Weekly Honor Roll
Nov. 5 – Weekly Honor Roll
Hilary Eppink
Oct. 29 – Weekly Honor Roll
–ND–