After a commanding victory over Toledo and a close loss to No. 21 Northwestern, the Irish will travel to No. 20 Louisville Saturday for a Big East meet.
"This is a team that we match very closely with," Irish coach Brian Barnes said. "While the long-term goal is setting times that will be competitive at the national championships, we are always competing to win."
The Irish have never lost to Louisville in the teams' four all-time meetings, but the Cardinals present a threat to Notre Dame's 3-1 season record.
Sophomores Samantha Maxwell, Amywren Miller and Lauren Sylvester, and juniors Megan Farrell and Maggie Behrens will be the main cogs for a young but deep Irish squad that has gotten off to a fast start.
"Team depth is going to be the difference in this match," Barnes said. "When you can only race four events per person, it's about winning what you can, but more importantly getting those second, third, fourth and fifth places consistently."
