Nov. 17, 2016
By Robby Hamman
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Notre Dame (19-9, 10-6 ACC) attempts to reach the 20-win mark this weekend, as the Irish travel south to play at Clemson at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 and then at Georgia Tech at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20. Notre Dame last recorded a 20-win season in 2012.
WEEKEND MATCHUPS
Location: Clemson, South Carolina | Atlanta, Georgia
Schedule: Friday, Nov. 18 — 7 p.m. EST at Clemson | LIVE STATS | LIVE STREAM
Sunday, Nov. 20 — 1 p.m. EST at Georgia Tech |
Twitter Updates: @NDVolleyball
SOPHOMORE SENSATION
Libero Ryann DeJarld became just the fourth player in Notre Dame history to reach the 500-dig milestone in a single season in Sunday’s match against Virginia. DeJarld has 507 digs on the season and is just four digs from reaching the 1,000-dig milestone for her career.
The sophomore ranks third in the ACC in aces per set with an average of 0.36, dishing out 36 aces in 101 sets. The Chicago native also ranks second in the conference in digs per set, averaging 5.01. DeJarld produced a career-high 40 digs earlier this season in a five-set thriller against No. 8 UNC earlier this season.
HIGGINS’ HITTING
Senior Katie Higgins has been one of the most efficient hitters in the ACC this season, as the middle blocker ranks second in the league in hitting percentage with a mark of .351. The Kearney, Nebraska native has recorded a percentage of .400 or higher on 12 occasions this season.
SCOUTING THE IRISH
Notre Dame has a record of 19-9 on the season and 10-6 in the ACC. The Irish have already won 12 more matches than during the 2015 campaign and have recorded the most ACC wins in program history. Notre Dame is coming off of a heartbreaking five-set loss against Virginia on Sunday. The Irish are the top serving team in the conference, as the squad averages 1.79 aces per set. Individually freshman Jemma Yeadon leads the attack, averaging a team-high 2.80 kills per set.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Clemson comes into Friday’s matchup with the Irish with a record of 6-22 on the season and 1-15 in ACC action. The Tigers’ lone conference victory came in five sets against Boston College on October 16. Senior outside hitter Leah Perri has carried the Clemson attack this season, averaging a team-high 3.57 kills per set, which ranks sixth in the league.
SERIES HISTORY VS. CLEMSON
The Irish lead the all-time series against the Tigers with a record of 4-3. Notre Dame has won the last two matchups, sweeping the series last season. The Irish are 2-1 against Clemson when playing at home. The first matchup between the two sides came in 1996, as Notre Dame won in straight sets.
SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS
Georgia Tech is currently in fourth place in the ACC standings with a mark of 12-4 in ACC play, while the team is 21-7 on the season. The Yellow Jackets have lost two of its last three matches entering play this weekend, with losses coming at No. 8 UNC and against Pittsburgh. Earlier this season, Georgia Tech had a 10-match winning streak, which included an undefeated month of October. Teegan Van Gunst has dominated on the offensive side of the net, posting 4.19 kills per set to rank second in the conference.
SERIES HISTORY VS. GEORGIA TECH
The Irish and Yellow Jackets will meet for the seventh time in program history on Sunday, as Georgia Tech holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series. The Yellow Jackets won both matchups last season and have won three straight over Notre Dame. The last Irish victory in the series came in October 2013 in straight-set fashion.
— ND —
Robby Hamman joined Fighting Irish Media as athletics communications assistant director in September 2016, coordinating efforts for the volleyball and men’s lacrosse program. Hamman is a 2010 graduate of Bethel College, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in sport management and business administration, and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Defiance College in 2013.