Last year's Notre Dame Volleyball team was loaded with 8 seniors and made a trip to the State Championship game. Many thought the huge graduating class meant this would be a rebuilding year for the Irish. However, a core of returners and some new faces have managed to keep up the winning tradition that has developed for the Irish. Monday night at Boyd Buchanon, the tradition continued with a third straight District Championship.
Set one was a battle. Notre Dame got off to a quick 5-1 lead, but Boyd immediately bounced back with strong serve receive and timely hitting.
Boyd seemed to be in control at 21-19, but back to back kills by Regan Wolf and a setter kill by Mary Fillauer gave Notre Dame the 25-22 win.
Set two saw The Irish storm out to a 4-0 lead behind the serving of Maggie Fillauer, forcing an early timeout from Boyd. Fillauer would have seven points on her serve including an ace. Three other aces in the set by Riley McCormick, Sam Brown and Mary Fillauer lead to a 25-14 win.
Boyd played well to start the third set and controlled the flow of the game, but Notre Dame kept finding ways to finish off points. Big digs by Madeline Solis and Samantha Crisp turned sure Boyd points into Irish gold. A big five point service run by Notre Dame's Maggie Clotfelter blew the game open and a block by Senior Lindsay Burn put the game out of reach.
The celebration was sweet, but both Notre Dame and Boyd will have to bounce back quickly as they host Regional quarterfinals on Thursday night. Boyd will host CAK and Notre Dame will entertain Lakeway Christian.
Mary Fillauer 24 assists, 8 digs, 5 kills, 1 ace
Regan Wolf 11 kills, 2 blocks
Riley McCormick 18 digs, 1 assist, 4 aces
Maggie Fillauer 7 kills, 15 digs, 1 ace
Sam Brown 8 kills, 1 block, 2 digs, 2 aces
Lindsay Burns 2 kills, 8 digs, 2 aces, 2 blocks
Sam Crisp 1 kill, 6 digs
Madeline Solis 11 digs
Maggie Clotfelter 3 digs, 1 ace