Nov. 6, 1999
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame volleyball stretched their unbeaten streak to nine matches against 1999 BIG EAST opponents by defeating Syracuse University, 15-4, 15-13, 15-11, Saturday afternoon at the Joyce Center in the last scheduled home match of the season. With the loss the Irish move to 16-6 overall and 9-0 in the BIG EAST, while the Orangewomen fell to 19-12 overall and 4-5 in conference play.
Notre Dame was led by junior outside hitter Christi Girton (Muncie, Ind.), who recorded her third consecutive double-double with a 19-kill and 13-dig performance. Sophomore Marcie Bomhack (Waukesha, Wis.) also recorded double-digit kills with 10 and a career-best four aces, while senior Mary Leffers (Tampa, Fla.) logged eight kills, nine digs and six blocks. Junior setter Denise Boylan (Lisle, Ill.) had 24 assists and classmate Michelle Graham (Austin, Texas) had 16 assists.
The Irish rolled in the first game, 15-4, outhitting the Orangewomen .313 to -.053. The second game was a bit tighter as Syracuse forced Notre Dame to four game points, but eventually fell, 15-13. In game three, the score was tied four times, before consecutive kills by Bomhack put the Irish in the lead for good at 8-7. A kill by Leffers, an Orangewomen hitting error and a kill by Irish junior Jo Jameyson (Alvin, Texas), ended the game and the match with a 15-11 game three victory.
Syracuse was led by Dana Fiume’s 18 kills, while senior Rachel Watson added 11 digs.
Notre Dame will travel to BIG EAST schools Villanova (Nov. 13) and Georgetown (Nov. 14) next weekend to finish up regular season conference play. The Irish may need a win over Georgetown, who are currently in second place in the BIG EAST with only one loss, to wrap up sole possession of the team’s fourth BIG EAST regular season crown and the tournament’s top seed.