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Notre Dame Sweeps Rhode Island To Improve To 2-0 On The Season

Aug. 26, 2017

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By Robby Hamman

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Notre Dame (2-0) rolled to a straight-set sweep of Rhode Island (0-2) in the team’s first match of day two of the Golden Dome Invitational in Compton Family Ice Arena. The Irish dominated, posting set scores of 25-13, 25-14 and 25-21.

The Irish were led by the duo of Sam Fry and Lauren Woodard, who each posted 12 kills to pace the team. Fry also added four blocks to become the Notre Dame career block leader (346 blocks) since the 2008 scoring change to 25-point sets.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Irish wasted little time taking control of the match, as Notre Dame raced out to a 17-7 lead in the opening set. The hosts went on to take the first frame 25-13 to go up 1-0 in the match.

The second stanza was competitive up until the midway point, as Notre Dame held onto a 13-12 lead. The Irish then reeled off nine straight points with Sydney Kuhn controlling the service line to give Notre Dame a 22-12 lead. The hosts went on to win the set 25-14, putting the Irish on the brink of a sweep.

Notre Dame and Rhode Island played a highly contested third set that the Irish managed to claim. Holding a one-point advantage at 22-21, Notre Dame won the final three points of the match to complete the straight-set victory over the Rams.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Fry was incredibly efficient against the Rams on the attack, as the senior recorded 12 kills on 25 attacks while registering just one error for a team-best hitting percentage of .440. Fry also led the Irish in blocks with four and now has 11 through just two matches in 2017.

ND STAT OF THE MATCH

Notre Dame’s defense has been unforgiving in both matches this season, as the Irish held the Rams to a hitting percentage of .081 on Saturday. Notre Dame has held both of its opponents to a hitting percentage under .100 and has now accomplished the feat in four straight outings, dating back to the final two matches of 2017.

McLAUGHLIN’S TAKE

On Lauren Woodard’s development…

“Lauren had a really good spring. She has become more mindful knowing what her body was doing and what she wanted it to do. She had more awareness in what she needed to do to improve. Once she started making progress it became contagious.”

On Kristen Baer’s performance…

“Kristin did wonderful. I should have put her back into the game. She hit 1.000, she was 3-for-3 on the attack.”

NOTES OF THE MATCH

  • Notre Dame has now won five straight matches in the Golden Dome Invitational, winning 15 of the 16 sets in those five matches.
  • The Irish improve to 5-1 against the Rams in the series history. Notre Dame has won each of the last three meetings.
  • Freshmen Hannah Thompson and Monroe Olsen made their Notre Dame debuts. Thompson finished with a kill and an assist. Olsen dished out 12 assists and a dig in a set of action.
  • In her first career appearance, Kristen Baer finished a perfect 3-for-3 on the attack.
  • Ryann DeJarld posted 29 digs to lead the Irish. The junior now has 67 digs in just seven sets of play this season.

UP NEXT

The Irish will play New Mexico State in the final match of the Golden Dome Invitational at 7 p.m. this evening. Notre Dame will try to win its second straight Golden Dome Invitational title.

To purchase tickets visit UND.com/BuyTickets.

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— 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.