Oct. 15, 2017
By Robby Hamman
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Notre Dame (14-5, 4-4 ACC) recorded its seventh sweep of the season on Sunday, downing Clemson (5-15, 0-8 ACC) in three sets (25-14, 25-19, 25-17). The victory pushes Notre Dame’s home record to 9-2 on the season.
Senior Sydney Kuhn led the Irish in kills against the Tigers, putting down 12 kills. Kuhn was joined in double-figure kills by teammate Jemma Yeadon, who finished with 10 for the afternoon. Junior Ryann DeJarld paced the Irish in digs with 12, while senior Sam Fry and junior Rebecca Nunge tied for the team high in blocks with five apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish were locked in from the opening serve on Sunday afernoon, opening up an early 13-5 advantage in the first set. Notre Dame cruised the rest of the set on its way to a 25-14 win to take a 1-0 lead in the match. The Irish attack was in top form in the first frame, hammering out 14 kills on 30 swings to finish with a hitting percentage of .400, while Clemson hit just .071 in the first set.
Notre Dame kept its foot on the gas pedal in the second stanza, racing out to an eight-point lead at 15-7. The Irish led by as many as 10 points (20-10) before closing out the set with a 25-19 win to take a decisive 2-0 lead in the match. Kuhn led the Irish in the second, posting five kills to spark the attack.
Clemson managed to keep the third set close in the early stages, as the Irish held a one-point advantage at 11-10. Notre Dame then put the match away by winning 10 of the next 13 points to go on top 21-13. A kill from Rebecca Nunge sealed the victory, as the Irish won the set 25-17 and completed the sweep at 3-0. Notre Dame held the Tigers to an attacking percentage of .042 in the final frame.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Kuhn had an efficient afternoon from an attacking standpoint, posting a hitting percentage of .310, which is the highest of the season for the Wichita, Kansas, native (minimum five attempts). The outside hitter finished with a team-high 12 kills on 29 swings, while only making three errors. Kuhn also added four digs and a block to complete her performance.
ND STAT OF THE MATCH
For the fifth time this season the Irish held an opponent under .100 in hitting percentage, as Clemson finished with a mark of .066 on the day.
HEAD COACH JIM MCLAUGHLIN’S THOUGHTS
On the team’s mindset…
“We have to keep fighting and scratching for everything. We have to earn everything. I think that’s the biggest lesson in life. I think that has got to carry over. Not the situation of the circumstances but our mindset has to be consistent and we are learning that.”
On Sydney Kuhn…
“Sydney Kuhn is more accountable now and she has taken responsibility and really wants to learn. I feel good about her. As long as we keep learning from the stuff we are doing we are going to be okay. I think it begins with each individual.”
NOTES OF THE MATCH
- Notre Dame improves to 9-2 when playing at home this season.
- The Irish are now 6-3 against Clemson in the all-time series.
- DeJarld has tallied 10+ digs in all 19 matches this season, finishing with a team-high 12 in the victory over the Tigers.
- Kuhn recorded 10+ kills for the seventh time in 2017 with 12 on Sunday
- Natalie Johnson notched two aces and has now posted multiple aces in 11 matches this season
- Yeadon has recorded at least 10 kills in all 17 matches she has played in during the 2017 season.
- Yeadon posted her 14th double-double in 2017 (15 kills, 11 digs).
UP NEXT
Notre Dame travels to the Sunshine State next weekend for a pair of weekend matches. The Irish take on Florida State at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 20 and then head further south to play Miami at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 22.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For a behind the scenes look at the Notre Dame volleyball program follow the Irish on Twitter (@NDvolleyball), Instagram (@ndvball), Facebook (/NDVolleyball) and Snapchat (NDVolleyball).
— 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.