A Few Notes from the First Two Volleyball Matches
by MPG (2024-09-04 16:13:40)
Edited on 2024-09-04 16:14:57

1. On Saturday, ND beat Villanova 3-0 and Santa Clara 3-1 in a tourney hosted by Santa Clara. On Friday, Santa Clara beat Villanova 3-1. Last year, ND beat Villanova 3-0 and lost to Santa Clara 2-3 when Villanova hosted the trio. ND should be hosting this "Catholic Challenge" event next year.

2. I saw parts of the ND matches and it was clear that some of the new recruits have had an immediate impact on ND's front row play. Neither Santa Clara nor Villanova are volleyball powers, but ND showed that they should be an improved team that can hold their own in ACC play, except when they play the three top ten teams: L'ville, Pitt, and Stan.

3. Freshmen Anna Bjork and Morgan Gaerte already look like ND's best front row players. Both are athletic and skilled. Senior Sydney Palazollo was last year's leader in every attacking category and she is still a contributor.

4. Bjork, grad transfer setter Ella Sandt, and dependable fifth year starter at libero, Hattie Monson, made the all tournament team. Gaerte would have made the team on the basis of her play vs. SCU, but she did not play vs. Nova. Senior Phyona Schrader who plays in the front row as a right side attacker and setter when she is in the back row made major contributions with her all around play.

5. The team visits Starkville, Mississsippi this weekend to play Michigan and host MSU. This higher level of competition will be a good test for a developing Irish squad. Both opponents are beatable...


Just watched condensed 3-0 victory by Michigan(4-0) on B10+.
by Domerduck  (2024-09-05 14:17:32)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

They look pretty dominant at home against Eastern Michigan. All 4 wins are at home, 3 against MAC teams, and their 3-2 win in their opener against Delaware. O hope the Irish are up yo it to beat them on a neutral floor.


Good review, I saw the Nova match but missed the SCU match.
by Domerduck  (2024-09-04 21:12:34)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I liked how ND played as they seemed more confident and their resilience must have been on display against SCU, especially that 4th set comeback.

You are right about Pitt since I saw them live, but I'll wait to make judgment on Stanford & L'ville until I get a chance to see them I'm really hoping ND can pull off enough wins to make the NCAA tourney this year since we haven't made it since 2020/21 Covid season when we had that wierd fall & spring season. Starting 4-0 would help.


Stanford beat Wisconsin in Milwaukee last weekend.
by Mr Wednesday  (2024-09-06 19:26:07)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

3 - 1, and I think the three were all by more than two points.

I think they were ranked 5 and 6 going in, so there's certainly one point of evidence that they are legitimately good.