SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish took down the Illinois Fighting Illini in an impressive three set victory in the home opener at Purcell Pavilion on Thursday, September 7. After starting the Irish Invitational 1-0, Notre Dame is now 3-2 on the season.
It was a great team win for the Irish as Sydney Palazzolo and Ava Lange led the way offensively with 15 kills and 12 kills, respectively. Phyona Schrader played a well rounded match as she recorded seven kills, five digs, and five blocks for the Irish. Finishing with three kills, a .429 hitting percentage and a team-best six blocks, Lauren Tarnoff was a big factor in tonight’s victory as well. Nicole Drewnick dished out 36 assists, averaging 12 per set, and Hattie Monson recorded a team-high 17 digs for the Irish.
While the Irish started off slow in set one, it didn’t take long for the team to get going. Despite Illinois claiming the 5-1 advantage to start, the Notre Dame offense came alive and took the lead 14-9 after a kill from Charity McDowell. The Illini made it an even set at 17-17, 18-19, and 19-19. The Irish looked to terminate as they outscored Illinois 6-2 to close the set with kills from Palazzolo, Lange, Drewnick, and Schrader to take home set one 25-21.
Notre Dame’s momentum carried into set two as they posted an early 13-6 lead over the Illini. A late run from Illinois closed that gap as they were able to get within two at 17-15, but Notre Dame pulled away yet again. The Irish closed out the set 25-19, with five of the Irish’s final 10 points coming off of Palazzolo kills.
Set three was a close one through the entirety of the set. With 17 ties over the course of set three, neither squad could pull away from the other. After continuously swapping points, it was an even set at 21-21. After an attacking error followed by a block from Tarnoff and Drewnick, the Irish took the advantage 23-21. The Illini brought it within one again at 23-22, but another block from Lange and Tarnoff coupled with a Lange kill completed the sweep for the Irish as they won set three 25-22.
The Irish will take on Oklahoma on Saturday, September 9 at 2 p.m. at Purcell Pavilion in their final match of the Irish Invitational.