LUBBOCK, Texas – The moment we’ve all been patiently waiting for: the Notre Dame Fighting Irish volleyball team opens up their 2023 season this weekend. Head coach Salima Rockwell’s second year at the helm of the program kicks off in Lubbock, TX as the Irish compete in the 2023 Under Armour Challenge, hosted by Texas Tech.
The Irish are one of five teams in the tournament as they’re joined by Houston Christian, Abilene Christian, Wichita State, and Texas Tech. Notre Dame will take on the Wichita State Shockers on Friday, August 25 at 2:30 p.m. ET. On Saturday, August 26, Notre Dame will take on Texas Tech for the second year in a row after opening up against the Red Raiders at home last season.
Friday, August 25 – Notre Dame vs. Wichita State – 2:30 p.m. ET | Live Stats | ESPN+
Saturday, August 26 – Notre Dame @ Texas Tech – 8 p.m. ET | Live Stats | ESPN+
HISTORY VS. WICHITA STATE
- This will be the first match up in program history between the Irish and the Wichita State Shockers.
- The Shockers are coming off of a 18-13 finish in the 2022 season, where they fiinished fourth in the American Athletic Conference with a record of 13-6.
- Wichita State closed out the 2022 season winning seven of their last eight matches.
HISTORY VS. TEXAS TECH
- This will be just the second matchup between the Irish and the Red Raiders after playing for the first time in program history at Purcell Pavilion last season.
- The Irish opened up the 2022 season at home against Texas Tech in the Irish Invitational on August 26.
- Notre Dame fell 1-3 (16-25, 25-18, 17-25, 19- 25), dropping to 0-1 to start the year.
- The Irish were led by Avery Ross, who made her freshman debut agaisnt the Red Raiders. She tallied 13 kills and six digs to start her Irish campaign.
- Freshman Harmony Sample made her debut in an Irish uniform as well, where she recorded six kills, 13 digs, and 16 assists.
- Phyona Schrader also chipped in eight kills, seven digs, and 16 assists for the Irish.
MEET THE FRESHMEN
- Five freshmen join the Irish for the 2023 season. Freshmen additions include Alyssa Manitzas, Lily Fenton, Logan Brannan, Olivia Maulding, and Ava Lange.
- Manitzas was a part of the Under Armour All-American game and was also named the 2021 Prep Dig Top Libero in Texas. The San Antonio, TX native is the all-time dig leader at Cornerstone Christian High School.
- Fenton was a First Team All-Conference…