HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The hosts used a 5-0 run to jump out to a 6-2 advantage, and eventually earned an 11-5 lead to force an Irish timeout. After the Cardinals extended their lead to 19-12, the Irish converted three straight points, including an ace by Niego, to get within four. Back-to-back kills by Hamilton cut the Cardinals’ lead to 20-17 before a solo block by Hamilton trimmed the margin to two at 22-20.
After falling behind 24-21, the Irish rattled off four consecutive points to take a 25-24 lead. A bad set by Louisville followed by a block by Thompson completed the Irish comeback and gave Notre Dame a 27-25 victory in the opening set.
Second Set
Momentum stayed with the Irish to open the second set as three straight aces by Monson helped the Irish jump out to a 9-2 lead. A 3-0 Irish run, which included a kill by Meuth, extended Notre Dame’s lead to 16-8 and forced a Cardinals timeout. Louisville answered by earning four of the next five points to cut Notre Dame’s lead to 17-12 and make the Irish take a timeout of their own.
Louisville continued to inch closer with another 4-1 run after the Irish timeout to make it 18-16. A Cardinals attack error and a kill by Hamilton put the Irish up 20-16 before Louisville earned back-to-back points to make it 20-18. Consecutive kills by Niego pushed the Irish lead to 23-19. Niego’s fourth kill of the set gave the Irish set point before a kill by Meuth clinched a 25-22 victory and 2-0 lead for Notre Dame.
Third Set
The Irish used a 7-1 run, which included a pair of kills by Meuth, to take a 9-5 lead to open the third frame. Four straight points pushed Notre Dame’s lead to 13-6 before Louisville responded with a 5-1 stretch to cut the Irish lead to 14-11.The Cardinals converted five straight points to take a 16-15 lead before the teams worked to an 18-all tie. After Louisville earned a 21-18 lead, Thompson delivered a kill and a solo block to help the Irish even the set once again at 21-21. With the set tied at 24-all, Miller and Hamilton sealed the Irish sweep with back-to-back kills to cap their collegiate debuts.
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