Aug. 28, 2006
NOTRE DAME, IND.- Notre Dame’s volleyball’s Christina Kaelin (Louisville, Ky./Assumption) capped off an exciting first week on campus by being named the BIG EAST Conference’s Rookie of the Week for the week ending Aug. 27. The freshman led No. 21 Notre Dame’s volleyball team (1-0) to a three game victory over Bowling Green with 24 kills in her first action as a collegiate.
Kaelin, a highly touted freshman that was ranked ninth among all high school seniors in 2005, began her collegiate career with the Fighting Irish by registering a match-high 24 kills. Kaelin’s 24 kills are tied for the second most kills ever record by a Notre Dame volleyball player in a three game match, behind only the 25 recorded by Angie Harris (1994-97) in a match against Colorado on Sept. 15, 1995.
The Assumption High School graduate became the first Notre Dame volleyball player since another Louisville native, junior Ellen Heintzman (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart Academy), to tally at least 20 kills in a match. Heintzman recorded 22 kills in five game set against Tennessee on Nov. 26, 2006.
Kaelin had an impressive .465 hitting percentage, as she was 24-for-43 with only four hitting errors. Her .465 hitting percentage was the highest recorded for an Irish player with 20 kills since Lauren Kelbley hit .688 with 24 kills against Loyola-Chicago last season.
Kaelin’s BIG EAST award was the first Rookie of the Week honor, the Fighting Irish have won since sophomore Mallorie Croal (Villa Park, Calif./Mater Dei) took home the honors on September 5th of last season.
Kaelin and Notre Dame will next be in action this weekend as the team begins hosting the Shamrock Invitational with a match against Valparaiso at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1. The Irish will have a busy weekend with four matches including two against ranked opponents (#13 Missouri-Sept. 2 at 7:00 p.m. and #6 Santa Clara-Sept. 3 at 2:00 p.m.) on the docket. For more information or to purchase tickets dial 574-631-7356. Tickets can also be purchased online at und.com.
— ND —