SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Irish started the 2024 season 2-0 as they were named the 2024 Catholic Challenge Champions. On Saturday, August 31, the Irish started the day with a sweep over Villanova (25-6, 25-19, 25-22) and finished it with a four-set victory over Santa Clara (22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 27-25).
Graduates Hattie Monson and Ella Sandt, along with freshman Anna Bjork, were named to the Catholic Challenge All-Tournament Team.
Notre Dame vs. Villanova Box Score | Notre Dame vs. Santa Clara Box Score
VILLANOVA
Despite a 3-3 start in set one, the Irish were scoring at a rapid pace and went on to dominate their first set of the season. A 12-0 run from the Irish, which included three service aces from Phyona Schrader and three kills from Bjork, gave Notre Dame a 14-3 edge. Leading 18-5, the Irish went on to outscore the Wildcats 7-1 to take the win in a commanding fashion at 25-6.
It was back and forth between the Irish and Wildcats to start the second set, but Villanova claimed the 12-9 advantage to force a Notre Dame timeout. A Palazzolo kill sparked an 11-0 run to put the Irish up 20-13, allowing them to win set two 25-19.
Set three was a close battle through the entirety of the set, but Notre Dame capped off their sweep with a 25-22 set three victory and a Bjork game-winning solo block to seal the deal.
Palazzolo and Schrader led the way with 8 kills a piece, while Schrader also tossed in 4 service aces and 4 blocks. Avery Ross, Lucy Trump, and Anna Bjork all finished with 6 kills a piece.
SANTA CLARA
Santa Clara came out swinging, claiming an early 12-6 lead over the Irish to start Notre Dame’s second match of the day. A 9-1 run capped off by a Bjork ace put the Irish in front 15-13, forcing a Bronco timeout. Leading 22-19, Santa Clara strung together six straight points to secure the set one win 25-22. Notre Dame would go on to win the next three sets.
Set two was another close battle. The lead continuously went back and forth between the two squads with 14 ties in the second set alone. While the Broncos were within one at 22-21, the Irish would take set two, scoring the final three points to win it 25-21.
With a similar start in the third, Notre Dame was able to separate themselves early and take a 13-9 lead to start. Extending the advantage to seven at 18-11, the Broncos battled back to make it a four-point set at 21-17. Back-to-back Irish kills from Bjork and Gaerte would help Notre Dame close out the third with a 25-19 victory.
While the Irish tried to carry their momentum into set four, Santa Clara was making it tough – taking the 15-10 lead. Maintaining their five-point advantage all of the way to the 23-18 mark, Santa Clara was looking to close it out and take it to a fifth set. Notre Dame wasn’t going anywhere as a Lauren Tarnoff kill sparked the Irish offense. The kill was followed by a block from Schrader and Bjork, a kill from Schrader, and then a kill by Palazzolo to make it 23-22 and force a Bronco timeout. Santa Clara would score out of the timeout (24-22), but Schrader had back-to-back crucial plays with a kill and service ace to tie it up at 24-all.
The Broncos shut down the Irish offense with a block to make it 25-24, but Notre Dame would close it out and end it on a Bjork kill to claim the second win of the day in a 27-25 set four victory.
Morgan Gaerte led the way with 13 kills and 3 blocks, followed by Schrader with 8 kills and 5 blocks. Palazzolo finished with 9 kills and Bjork recorded 8 kills and 8 blocks.
UP NEXT
The Irish are back on the road next weekend as they travel to Mississippi to face Michigan and Mississippi State in the StarkVegas Classic hosted by the Bulldogs.