LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-11, 2-9) fell to the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals (18-3, 10-1) on Wednesday evening on the road (17-25, 17-25, 21-25).
Morgan Gaerte led the way with nine kills, followed by Phyona Schrader with seven kills. Hattie Monson recorded a team-best 13 digs and Grace Langer finished with a team-high three blocks.
The Irish came out strong in the first set, posting an impressive 6-1 lead over the top-5 Cardinals to force an early Louisville timeout. The Cardinals battled back to make it an even 9-all. A Palazzolo ace would put the Irish back in front at 14-13, but the Cardinals would go on a 7-2 run to make it 20-16 and force the Notre Dame timeout. Louisville would take set one 25-17.
It was back-and-forth to start the second set, but a solo block from Bjork gave the Irish the 10-9 lead. The Cardinals led 15-12 at the media timeout and would go on to take set two 25-17 as well.
While the Irish trailed by as much as 12 in the third set, Notre Dame continued to battle. Down 19-7, the Irish went on an 11-3 run to cut the deficit to four as a Gaerte ace forced a Cardinal timeout. A kill from Schrader and a Louisville attacking error cut the gap to two at 22-20. The Irish were hanging around as a solo block from Mallory Bohl made it 24-21, but the Cardinals would send home one last kill to take set three 25-21.
The Irish face the No. 4 Cardinals again on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Purcell Pavilion at 3:00 p.m.