DALLAS – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-9, 2-7 ACC) fell to No. 12 SMU (15-5, 7-2 ACC) in straight sets (18-25, 19-25, 16-25) on Friday night on the road in the first ever matchup between the two programs.
Phyona Schrader paced the Irish offense, finishing with eight kills, nine assists, six digs and a block while hitting .368 on the evening.
The match started by the two sides trading points, as the hosts held a slim 6-5 lead early in the first frame. SMU then used a 5-0 run to open up an 11-5 advantage.
The Irish were able to fight back, trimming the lead to two at 15-13 midway through the set off a kill from Schrader but the Mustangs controlled the remainder of the set and took the opener by a score of 25-18
SMU carried its momentum into the second stanza, jumping out to an early 9-3 lead. The Mustangs led by as many as seven before the Irish chipped away at the lead, making it a four-point score at 21-17. However, SMU closed out the set, taking it by a tally of 25-19 to go in front 2-0 in the match.
The Irish drew level with the Mustangs early in the third set at 5-5 courtesy of a kill from Mallory Bohl. Unfortunately for Notre Dame, the hosts then won seven of the next eight points to take a 12-6 lead in the frame. SMU went on to win the set by a score of 25-16 to win the match in three sets.
The Irish are back in action on Sunday, Oct. 27 as they face the No. 1 Pitt Panthers in Pittsburgh at 1:00 pm. ET. The match will air on ACCNX.