Notre Dame Volleyball currently sits at 1-3 on the season, but they have an opportunity to get back to .500 with two games over the weekend. Despite their record, the team has shown significant promise. Two of the losses came in five-set games, one against Villanova (5-0) and another with Illinois (2-2).
Outside hitter Morgan Gaerte started her sophomore season in record-breaking fashion. She took home ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week after setting program records for most kills in a game (34), most kills through three games (75) and becoming one of only three players in program history to record three consecutive 20+ kill games. She continued her offensive hot streak in the loss to LSU, recording 14 of the team’s 37 kills.
The Irish are looking to build momentum before conference play commences in a few weeks with a matchup against Syracuse. Last year, the team finished 15th overall in the ACC. They will be looking to build off of last season and the positives seen so far early this season in order to secure a spot in the conference tournament and a potential playoff run.
Colorado State
The Irish will travel to play Colorado State on Friday. The Rams currently sit at 3-3 on the season with 3-0 wins against Colgate and Eastern Washington and a 3-2 win against California State University, Northridge. They will be entering Friday’s game fresh off a matchup with East Texas A&M the night prior.
Offensively, the Rams are led by junior middle blocker Eve Wilson, who has 79 kills on the season and is averaging 3.44 points per set. On the defensive side of the game, the Rams are 16th in the nation in total blocks with 42. The defense is anchored by redshirt sophomore middle blocker Kekua Richards, who was recently named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week.
Since 1988, the Rams and the Irish have faced each other in a total of four matchups. Colorado State currently leads the series with a 3-1 record. Notre Dame’s lone win came in 2024 with a four-set victory. Head Coach Salima Rockwell will be looking to lead her team to a repeat result of last season and escape the current three game losing streak.
East Texas A&M
Following the matchup with Colorado State, the Irish will remain in Fort Collins, Colorado for a neutral site matchup with East Texas A&M. The Lions are still searching for their first win of the season, currently sitting at 0-6 with four 3-0 losses.
Gracie Campbell leads the team in both kills and points with 75 and 81 respectively. Junior Haley Mullaney has been the most proficient server for the Lions, accumulating five service aces so far this season.
The match on Saturday will be the first time Notre Dame and East Texas A&M have faced off in volleyball. It comes at a pivotal moment in the season for both teams as the Lions are aiming to acquire their first victory while the Irish aim to keep adding to the win column and get back to an even record forthe chance at a tournament run.
On Friday, Sept. 12, Notre Dame is set to face off against Colorado at 8 p.m on Friday, Sept. 12, and against East Texas A&M at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 13, both at Fort Collins, Colorado.
