South Bend, Ind – The Fighting Irish hosted their third straight season opener at Purcell Pavilion on Friday evening, where the Irish fell to Texas Tech 3-1 (16-25, 25-18, 17-25, 19-25).
Notre Dame featured four freshmen in the opener, with freshman Avery Ross leading the way for the Irish with 13 kills and six digs in her Irish debut. Fiona Schrader finished with eight kills, while Kaylin Winkler, Harmony Sample and Lauren Tarnoff each had six kills. Hattie Monson led all players with 21 digs and Sample led the Irish with 17 assists.
How did it happen?
Prepare one
Notre Dame trailed early, started 0-3, but managed to pull within four with an 8-12 mark. Despite a late effort by the Irish, Texas Tech was able to close with a 6-3 run to take the first 25-16. Notre Dame finished the first set of the season with 10 kills.
Prepare two
The Irish came out swinging to start the second, taking a 4-1 lead on kills by Kailyn Winkler, Harmony Sample and Fiona Schrader. Another kill from Schrader and Avery Ross helped the Irish extend their lead to 11-6. Texas Tech fought back to get within four (15-11), but three Irish kills gave Notre Dame a seven-point advantage. Lucy Trump’s kill gave the Irish their first win of the year.
Prepare three
The Irish and Red Raiders traded points to start the third, a 3-3 start. Texas Tech would go on a 6-2 run to take the Ross lead at 9-5. A kill from Winkler brought it to 11-11, but the Red Raiders went on an 8-2 run to take a 19-13 lead and eventually won the 3, 25-17.
Set four
Similar to set three, it was back-and-forth action with the Irish and Red Raiders as it was once again tied at 3-3 to start set four. A kill from Ross brought the Irish back within 12-13, but Texas Tech responded with another run of their own to extend the lead to 13-17. Notre Dame would fight back to make it a two-point game (17-19), but the Red Raiders took the win 25-19.
Next
- In the second game of the Irish Invitational, the Irish will face Mississippi State tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
- To close out the tournament, Notre Dame hosts Milwaukee on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
- The Irish are on the road to face Boise State and Long Beach State on Sept. 2-3 when they travel to Long Beach, Calif.
