Oct. 28, 2016
By Robby Hamman
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Trailing in the match 2-0, the Irish staged a comeback to win the third and fourth set to force a fifth set. However, it was not enough, as Miami (10-13, 4-7 ACC) escaped Purcell Pavilion on Friday evening with a 3-2 victory to hand Notre Dame (18-5, 9-2 ACC) it’s second loss in ACC play this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Playing without the ACC assist leader in Caroline Holt due to injury, the Irish got off to a slow start as the team tried to find a rhythm in the first set. Notre Dame dropped the opening set for the first time in over a month, as Miami took the opening set 25-22. In the second stanza Notre Dame led late, holding a 20-18 advantage. However, the Hurricanes rallied, winning seven of the final nine points to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
After the 10 minute intermission the Irish came out focused and elevated their play in the third set. Notre Dame never trailed in the third, as the team jumped out to a 4-0 lead early and never looked back. The Irish took the set 25-21 to send the match into the fourth. Notre Dame carried the momentum from the third set into the fourth. With the set tied at 20-20, the Irish won the key points to close out the set with a 25-22 victory to force the match to a decisive fifth frame.
The Irish were unable to keep their run of play going in the fifth set, as the Hurricanes jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. The Irish battled back to cut Miami’s lead to three at 13-10 but ran out of steam as the Hurricanes took the set 15-11 to win the match 3-2.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Sydney Kuhn had a career night against Miami, as the junior led the team with a career-high 19 kills. The Wichita, Kansas native registered a double-digit kill total for the third time this season. Kuhn also added seven digs, three aces and one block.
NOTRE DAME STAT OF THE MATCH
Notre Dame continued its dominance from the service line, unleashing nine aces in the match compared to Miami’s four. Kuhn and Natalie Johnson each had three aces apiece to lead the Irish. Sam Fry added two aces and Jemma Yeadon recorded one.
NOTES OF THE MATCH
- Notre Dame has won 10 of its last 11 matches.
- Despite the loss, the Irish still lead the all-time series with the Hurricanes 6-5.
- The Irish are now 8-4 at home.
- Notre Dame’s streak of 10 straight matches with an opening set win came to an end on Friday.
- Sam Fry had 10 kills in the match, marking the ninth time the junior has finished in double figures this season.
- DeJarld recorded 20+ assists for the eighth time this season with 24 against Miami.
- Jemma Yeadon posted 10+ kills for the 12th time in her freshman season with 12 versus the Hurricanes.
- Freshman Hanna Klein made her Notre Dame debut on Friday and tallied 23 assists and seven digs in her first collegiate action.
UP NEXT
The Irish return to Purcell Pavilion to take on No. 12 Florida State at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30.
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.