COLUMBUS, Ohio — Notre Dame became the first team to take third-ranked Ohio State to five sets this season, but ultimately fell to the Buckeyes (16-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 9-15) on Sunday afternoon in Columbus.
Heading into Sunday’s contest, the Buckeyes had only dropped two sets all season before the Irish forced the five-set thriller.
Aubrey Hamilton led the Irish with 18 kills while Caroline Meuth notched 16 kills and Charley Niego recorded 12 kills and 12 digs for her fourth consecutive double-double.
Hattie Monson earned a team-high 25 digs and Nunez collected 15 digs to go with 45 assists. Niego and Lauren Wenzel tied for a team-high six total blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Irish jumped out to a 5-2 lead before the Buckeyes answered with a 9-2 run to go up 11-7 and force an Irish timeout. Ohio State stayed in control after the break and took the first set, 25-16.
Second Set
The second set opened in a 9-9 tie before the Irish earned three of the next four points to go up 12-10. After Ohio State retook a 14-13 advantage, Niego and Nunez notched back-to-back kills before the media timeout to put Notre Dame ahead 15-14.
The teams worked to a 17-all tie before the Irish used back-to-back kills by Meuth and another by Hamilton to go up 20-17 and force an Ohio State timeout. Hamilton notched another kill after the break before Miller and Meuth combined for a block to extend the lead to 23-18. Miller delivered a kill to clinch a 25-20 triumph for the Irish in set two to even the match.
Third Set
The Buckeyes earned a 12-8 lead before the Irish earned three of the next four points to get within two at 13-11. Notre Dame repeatedly battled to get within two points, but Ohio State stayed in front and eventually took the third stanza, 25-20.
Fourth Set
Ohio State jumped out to a 5-1 lead before the Irish answered with an 8-1 run to go up 9-6. Notre Dame extended its lead to 17-9 with a 6-0 run that included two kills and a block by Niego. The Buckeyes got back within one at 23-22, but a big block by Wenzel and an Ohio State service error gave the Irish a 25-23 victory to force a decisive fifth set.
Fifth Set
The fifth frame was tied at 3-3 before Ohio State used a 6-1 run to earn a 9-4 advantage. As they did all day, the Irish continued to battle, but the Buckeyes ultimately took the fifth set, 15-9.
UP NEXT
- The Irish open ACC play at home next weekend against Florida State and Miami.
- Notre Dame first hosts the Seminoles on Friday (Sept. 24) at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra before taking on the Hurricanes on Sunday (Sept. 26) at 1 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
- Admission to all 2021 Notre Dame volleyball home matches is free.
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