Turnaround - a bit of both

ND seems to have a core rotation of nine players -- 1 senior, four juniors, three sophomores, and 1 freshman. So, Jim McLaughlin has developed the juniors and sophomores, which comprise the bulk of the playing time.

Only one freshman is playing -- but Jemma Yeadon is making a major contribution every match. In the matches I've attended, she's one player who never subs out, and brings skill, athleticism and intensity each night out.

ND took its lumps in the ACC last year -- finishing 2-18 in conference. They're off to a stellar 6 and 0 start beating teams that they lost to last year. Over the weekend, they didn't lose a set on the road at Syracuse and BC -- teams that beat ND twice each last year.

We'll learn more after Friday's home match vs North Carolina. The Tarheels match ND's 6-0 record in the ACC. The next two teams in the standings are Florida State and Duke at 5-1. ND plays Florida State at home on October 30th. ND beat Duke 3-1 last month -- they play a return match at Duke in early November.