Sept. 12, 2000
The Notre Dame volleyball team (4-3) ended a three-match losing streak with a sweep of the Valparaiso Crusaders (2-9) at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind., Tuesday night. Notre Dame used its whole bench in the three-game win (15-7, 15-8, 15-3) and earned its first road victory in as many tries in 2000. Notre Dame effectively rebounded after three losses to #1 Nebraska, #7 UCLA and #17 Michigan State in the adidas Invitational last weekend.
The Irish started the match slow, allowing Valparaiso to build a 6-3 game one lead. Notre Dame’s starting outside hitters, senior Christi Girton and junior Marcie Bomhack helped the Irish score seven straight points to build a 10-7 advantage. Bomhack had two kills and a block in the point streak, while Girton added an ace and two kills.
Junior Malinda Goralski, who continued her recent solid play in the match with eight kills and five blocks, and classmate Kristy Kreher combined with Bomhack and Girton to score four straight kills to win the first game of the match.
Game two was reminiscent of the first game, but this time it was the Irish building a 7-1 lead, then allowing Valparaiso to get back into the game. After calling a time-out down six points, the Crusaders scored five straight points to cut the Notre Dame advantage to 7-6.
Irish freshman Katie Neff, came off the bench and started a four-kill point streak for the Irish to build a 11-6 lead. Girton then decided to dominate the rest of the way, scoring the last four points of the game with two kills and two blocks.
The third game permitted the entire Irish bench to get involved. Freshman setter Kristen Kinder allowed starting setter Denise Boylan the game off. Boylan had set the Irish to a .295 hitting percentage in game one and a .353 mark in game two. Senior outside hitter Adrienne Shimmel was also in the line up for the start of game three and totaled one kill and four digs.
The quality depth on the Irish roster was apparent as Notre Dame built a 10-0 lead in the third game before the Crusaders were able to react. Kristen Kinder had three kills, five assists and a block in the game while sophomore Janie Alderete added three aces.
Notre Dame won the third game 15-3 to earn the match victory. All-in-all, 11 Irish players scored at least one kill in the match with seven of 11 tallying more than three kills. Notre Dame also improved their series record against the Crusaders to 15-2.
Dion Frazier led the Crusaders with 14 kills while Carrie Goodrich added 10 digs.
The team will be back in action this weekend in Tallahassee, Fla., as they participate in the Lady Seminole Classic (Sept. 15 and 16). Notre Dame will face Florida A&M at noon on Sept. 15, before facing host Florida State at 7 p.m.