West Lafayette, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame volleyball team renewed its in-state rivalry with No. 20 Purdue on Sunday afternoon in a showdown between two undefeated teams. However, it was the Boilermakers (5-0) who would remain unblemished, as the Irish fell 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 20-25.
Jemma Yeadon shone bright, leading the Irish in kills (13), digs (22) and service aces (3). Charley Niego and Rebecca Nunge tallied 12 kills each, while Ryann DeJarld tacked on 21 digs. Meg Morningstar led in total blocks with six, while Zoe Nunez collected 41 assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
Tied at 6-6, Notre Dame recorded a 6-1 stretch to garner a 12-7 lead. After a Purdue timeout, the Boilermakers cut the Irish advantage to 13-11. The momentum then swung in Notre Dame’s favor, as the Irish pushed ahead 17-12, forcing the second and final Purdue timeout.
Yet the Boilermakers once again regrouped and tallied a 7-0 run to take a 19-17 lead, before ultimately taking the set, 25-22. It marked the first set loss for the Irish this season.
Second Set
Purdue jumped out to 6-2 advantage, which later turned into a 12-7 lead. Notre Dame fought back with four straight points to cut it to 12-11 and later claimed an 18-17 lead. Yet with Purdue up 22-21, the home team would seize the momentum with three straight points to claim the second set 25-21.
Third Set
The Irish started hot, earning a 9-5 advantage. Later, up 10-8, the Boilermakers tallied four straight points to jump back out in front at 12-8. Continuing the pendulum theme, the Irish cut the deficit to 18-16, then recorded a 4-1 run to reclaim the lead at 20-19. Later tied at 22-all, big kills from Morningstar, Sydney Bent and Yeadon put the Irish on the board with a 25-23 set win.
Fourth Set
Purdue retaliated in the fourth by jumping out to a 7-1 advantage. Trailing 12-6, the Irish would fight back once more, putting together a 7-2 run to cut it to 14-13. Later, facing match point at 24-18, the obstinate Irish would get two more points before the final of 25-20.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
For the third time in five games, Jemma Yeadon recorded double-digit kills with 13, which came one shy of her season high. More impressively, for the second time in her career, Yeadon posted 20+ digs with 22.
UP NEXT
The Irish will remain on the road with a weekend trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where they’ll compete in three matches. Up first, Notre Dame will clash with Western Kentucky on Friday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. ET. Then, the Irish will play a double-header on Saturday, Sept. 8, starting with Miami (Ohio) at 10:30 a.m., followed by Chattanooga at 5:30 p.m.
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— ND —