INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take down Central Michigan in three sets (25-12, 25-19, 25-21) and advance to 4-5 on the season on day one of the Bulldog Brawl. The Irish are back in action tomorrow as they take on Ohio at 3:00 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The Irish were led by Kaylyn Winkler and Lucy Trump who tallied eight kills a piece and finished with five blocks and three blocks, respectively. Avery Ross chipped in six kills for the Irish and setter Phyona Schrader recorded 23 assists while also sending home five kills. Maisie Alexander and Clare Delaplane each tallied three services aces a piece for Notre Dame.
Set One
Notre took the lead early as they went on a 7-0 run to take a 12-3 lead to start the first. A kill from Lauren Tarnoff and Delaplane, coupled with an ace from Trump, allowed the Irish to extend their lead to 16-5. Back-to-back aces from Delaplane made it a 19-8 game, and with two back-to-back kills from her, the Irish took the lead 24-12. It was game over after a block from Winkler and Delaplane gave the Irish the set one win.
Set Two
The second set had a similar start as the first with Notre Dame imposing an early lead at 12-6. While the Chippewas brought it within two at 14-12, the Irish responded with two kills from Trump and an ace from Alexander to extend the lead 17-12. The Irish and Chippewas swapped points until Notre Dame went on a 4-0 to take the nine point lead at 24-15. Central Michigan rallied together and responded with a 4-0 run of their own, but a kill from Ross gave Notre Dame the set two win at 25-19.
Set Three
The Chippewas posted a 3-0 to start the third, but it didn’t take long for the Irish to get going as they responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead 7-3. Kills from Winkler, Tarnoff and Trump gave the Irish an 11-5 lead, but the Chippewas brought it back within four at 14-10. The Irish had the five point advantage at 22-17 and with kills from Schrader and Ross, it was game point at 24-17. Central Michigan went on a 4-0 to make it a 24-21 set, but Winkler sent home her eighth kill of the night to give the Irish the three set victory.
UP NEXT
- After facing Ohio in day two of the Bulldog Brawl, Notre Dame heads into ACC play in Florida.
- The Irish are on the road as they take on Florida State on Friday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. and Miami on Sept. 25 at 1:00 p.m.