Game 1
On Friday, the Irish hosted Michigan for the first game of a home-and-home series. The Wolverines entered the match with an 8-1 record and only six total sets lost on the season. They were looking to build momentum before opening conference play with No. 1 Nebraska Sept. 24.
Early in the first set, the matchup appeared to be evenly matched, with the two teams going back and forth. Eventually, Michigan was able to take an early lead. Hopes were not high for the Irish as the Wolverines appeared to be in clear control of the match, but Notre Dame began to rally and slowly started to erase Michigan’s lead. The Irish brought the score back within two points and regained the momentum of the match. The attempted comeback was thwarted when an Irish serve hit the net and Michigan claimed the set 25-22.
The second set appeared to be déjà vu, starting close before the Wolverines put on the pressure to build a seven-point lead. Despite the deficit, it was clear that the Irish would not fall easily as energy began to build and six straight points brought the set back within one. It appeared that the run would be the catalyst for a potential comeback, but heartbreak would strike Notre Dame again as Michigan took a 2-0 lead with another 25-22 set.
With a 2-0 lead, the Wolverines were looking to close out the match and move to 9-1 on the season. They were able to hold a lead throughout the set and finish it 25-17 to complete the sweep. The Irish fought until the end but ultimately would concede the match in three sets and fall to 3-4 on the season.
Outside hitter Morgan Gaerte continued her phenomenal sophomore season, recording 13 kills to bring her season total to 128. Fellow outside hitter Sydney Helmers was another bright spot in the Irish loss, adding another nine kills. The junior also added two blocks and an assist in the matchup. Maya Baker led Notre Dame in assists with 13, 8 digs and 2 aces. Even as a freshman, Baker has been a crucial piece of the team’s success.
For the Wolverines, outside hitters Allison Jacobs and Ella Demetrician recorded the most kills. Jacobs, a graduate student, has been the kill leader for Michigan this season and added 12 more in the win against Notre Dame. The sophomore Demetrician had 10 of her own in addition to three blocks and four digs.
Game 2
The Irish were seeking revenge as they travelled to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for Sunday’s rematch with the Wolverines. Set one would showcase the intensity of both squads. Michigan would quickly acquire a 6-2 lead, but after that, no team would hold a lead of more than three points for the rest of the set. Neither team was able to gain an advantage until an attack from Michigan sophomore Jenna Hanes brought the score to match point in favor of the Wolverines. A service error allowed the Irish to bring the deficit to one and have a chance to win the set. Nevertheless, Michigan’s redshirt-freshman Cymarah Gordon would land a kill and clinch the set 25-23
In the second set, Michigan took an early lead. The Irish would slowly scrape away the deficit as the set went on, bringing the score within two. Once again, an attack from Michigan would end the set 25-22 and give the Wolverines a 2-0 advantage.
Set three would mark yet another close loss for Notre Dame as Michigan sealed the match with a 25-21 final score. Despite the competitiveness of each set, the Wolverines swept the Irish in both matchups and move to 10-1 on the season.
Gaerte would again lead the Irish in kills, recording 12 on 43 attacks. 29 assists for Baker placed her at the top of the box score once more. For the Wolverines, Jacobs and Demetrician would lead their team in kills with 12 each.
