Sept. 29, 2000
The University of Notre Dame volleyball team (10-4) won its BIG EAST opener in three games (15-5, 15-2, 15-9) over Villanova Friday night in the Joyce Center. The Irish enjoyed a .351 hitting percentage in the match as the whole roster contributed to the victory.
Senior Christi Girton, who was named Co-BIG EAST Player of the Week on Sept. 23, led the way with eight kills on 10 attempts while playing game one and portions of game two. Junior Kristy Kreher contributed seven kills in the match while freshman Jessica Kinder had a career-high seven kills as well.
Notre Dame easily controlled the match as setter Denise Boylan led the team to hitting percentages of .435 and .640 in the first two games. Freshman Kristen Kinder finished off the setting duties in the final game and totaled 16 assists and five digs.
Junior Marcie Bomhack and Malinda Goralski had five kills in the match and senior Adrienne Shimmel had four kills and eight digs. Shimmel and Jessica Kinder were instrumental in helping the Irish come back from a 6-2 deficit in the third game to seal the match victory.
Notre Dame will meet conference rival Georgetown on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m., to continue the BIG EAST portion of the 2000 schedule. The Irish will get a shot at revenge against the Hoyas, as the only Georgetown victory in the nine-game series came in the 1999 BIG EAST volleyball tournament championship match.