Aug. 31, 2001
The University of Notre Dame volleyball team began the 2001 season with a solid 3-0 victory (30-24, 30-18, 30-19) over Southwest Texas State on the first day of Shamrock Invitational action at the Joyce Center. The Irish will return to the court tomorrow for two matches, one with Florida Atlantic at 12:30 p.m. and the Invitational’s final match at 7 p.m. Saturday night against Idaho.
Senior middle blocker Malinda Goralski (Missouri City, Texas) began the season in fine form by matching her career high in kills versus the Bobcats with 18. Goralski displayed a powerful and efficient hitting stroke, notching those 18 kills on just 27 attempts while committing just one attack error (.630 hitting percentage). She was also dominate on defense, posting six blocks to lead the 17-block team effort by the Irish.
Sophomore Kim Fletcher (St. Louis, Mo.) was equally effective in the middle for the Irish, collecting a career-high 13 kills in 19 attempts without an attack error for an impressive .684 hitting percentage. Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year Kristy Kreher (Birmingham, Mich.) added 11 kills, while sophomore setter Kristen Kinder (Fresno, Calif.) contributed 39 assists, three aces, five digs, four kills and three blocks in her first career start.
The Shamrock Invitational continues tomorrow when Idaho meets Southwest Texas at 10 a.m. in the Joyce Center. Notre Dame will take on Florida Atlantic, who lost to Idaho 1-0 in the tournament opener earlier on Friday, at 12:30 p.m.
All four teams will return to action Saturday afternoon when Southwest Texas meets Florida Atlantic at 4:30 p.m. and the Irish meet Idaho to close out the tournament at 7 p.m.