Lubbock, Texas – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were back in action on Saturday, August 26 in day two of the Under Armour Challenge as they faced the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
After a hard fought four-set battle, the Irish fell to 1-1 on the season. Sydney Palazzolo and Lucy Trump led the offensive charge with 15 kills and 14 kills respectively. Lauren Tarnoff finished with a team-best seven blocks and chipped in five kills. Nicole Drewnick dished out 40 assists and tallied five blocks for the Irish and libero Hattie Monson recorded 22 digs.
Tied at 10-10 in the first, the Red Raiders were able to pull away to take an 18-13 advantage over the Irish. A Maisie Alexander ace capped off a 3-0 run from the Irish to bring it within two at 18-16. While the Irish would keep it within two at 21-19, Texas Tech took home the opening set 25-19.
Notre Dame trailed early in set two as the Red Raiders posed a 15-5 edge over the Irish. An 8-2 run from the Irish closed the gap at 17-13 until Texas Tech responded with a run of their own to extend the lead at 22-14 and went on to take set two 25-17.
While the Red Raiders had the 2-0 advantage going into the third, the Irish weren’t going anywhere. Palazzolo was relentless at the net, recording five kills to start the set and give the Irish a 7-2 lead that forced a Texas Tech timeout. A Tarnoff kill followed by two blocks from the Irish would extend the lead 10-3. While the Irish maintained a steady lead, the Red Raiders brought it within five at 18-13 until a Trump kill and Alexander ace sparked the Irish offense. Notre Dame outscored Texas Tech 7-1 to close the set and take home set four 25-14.
The Red Raiders came out strong in set four, claiming a 4-1 lead early, but it didn’t take long for the Irish to get going and bring it within one at 6-5. It was back and forth action between the two squads and while kills from Phyona Schrader and Palazzolo broke up the Texas Tech runs, the Red Raiders pulled away to extend the lead at 18-10. Trump recorded three kills as Notre Dame closed the gap to six at 20-14, but the Irish would fall 25-17 in the fourth and final set of the night.
The Irish are back on the road as they compete in the Catholic Challenge hosted by Villanova. Notre Dame will face Villanova on Friday, September 1 and Santa Clara on Saturday, September 2.