Fourth-year head coach Salima Rockwell and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish volleyball team welcomed Southeastern Conference (SEC) power Louisiana State University (LSU) to Purcell Pavilion Tuesday evening for the first annual “Showdown at the Net” game. LSU picked up the convincing 3-0 victory, despite each set being competitive with the Irish falling 25-20, 25-22 and 25-22. The home defeat drops Notre Dame to a disappointing 1-3 on the young season, marking another period of September struggles under Rockwell's leadership.
The Irish, who finished 12-17 a season ago, collected their lone win of 2025 thus far in the season opener at home against Santa Clara. After that five-set thriller over the Broncos, the Irish dropped five-set matches to both Villanova, in the Catholic Challenge, and Illinois, in a standalone contest.
Led by third-year head coach Tonya Johnson, the Tigers last reached the NCAA Tournament following the 2022 season. Entering play on Tuesday, the Tigers were 4-2 with shutout wins over South Alabama, Omaha and Houston, as well as a nail-biting 3-2 victory against San Diego State. Their two losses came against top-20 opponents, first in the season opener against No. 10 SMU (3-2) and then at home later that weekend against No. 20 Baylor (3-1).
Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Gaerte, a local product from nearby Angola, has emerged as a budding star for the Irish in 2025. The nationwide number five ranked player in the class of 2023 appeared in just 16 games last season, but was named the ACC co-offensive player of the week on Sept. 8. Gaerte recorded a school-record 34 kills in the heartbreaking defeat to the Fighting Illini, and added 14 more, plus five digs in Tuesday night's loss to the Tigers.
Senior outside hitter Lucy Trump and middle hitter sophomore Anna Bjork also contributed for the Irish in the setback, each recording five kills. Freshman setter Maya Baker continued the hot start to her young career, leading the team with 15 assists. The Californian also leads the team in that category on the season with 81, including a season-high 24 against Illinois. Sophomore middle blocker Mallory Bohl, who made 16 starts last year during her breakout freshman campaign, saw her first action of the season following an injury. The Saline, Michigan native made three kills on just four attempts.
LSU’s balanced offensive attack and stringent defense were on display from the start of the opening set, as mini-runs set up an advantage that the Tigers wouldn't relinquish. Senior outside hitter Nia Washington had four kills and no errors in the frame, as well as an ace. She would finish the match with 18.5 points, 14 kills, three blocks and two aces.
In set two, Notre Dame pushed out to a 21-19 edge to prompt an LSU timeout. The Tigers were able to reset, and claim four of the next five points. With the score 23-22, Washington capped off the set and a 5-0 closing run with two of her kills. Sophomore middle blocker Jessica Jones also made an impact in the stanza, as she led the frontline to finish the day with six blocks.
The Irish again raced out to a lead in the third set, capturing six of the first seven points. LSU was able to weather the storm with another late-set frenzy, this time led by their attack. Freshman setter Taklya Brown had 16 assists, while junior setter Lauren Brooker turned in 12 of her own.
With the victory, the Bayou Bengals improve to 7-2 all-time against the Irish. They now return to Baton Rouge to face in-state foe Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m.
The Irish will now hit the road for the first time this season, heading out to the Rocky Mountains to take part in a Colorado State-hosted two-day two-game event. Notre Dame's first contest in Fort Collins will be against the host Rams on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. The Irish will wrap up the brief road endeavor by battling East Texas A&M on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Irish will then return home for the “Cheer Her Name” game against rival Michigan, which will celebrate 50 years of women's varsity athletics on campus. Both of this weekend's matchups can be streamed exclusively online on the Mountain West Network.
