Notre Dame volleyball is currently coming off a two-game losing streak against the Louisville Cardinals, going 1-5 in their previous six games to move to 8-12 on the year and 5-7 so far in ACC play.
The standouts on the Irish roster continue to be the same, as the best work has been done at the net. Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Gaerte is still leading the team in kills at 307, hitting a 0.253 percentage and averaging 4.26 kills per set. These metrics make her 31st in the NCAA in hitting percentage. On the other side, junior transfer Sydney Helmers has 187 kills on the season, with 2.79 kills per set. Additionally, Helmers has played all six rotations because of her exceptional defense, ranking second in digs for the Irish with 119. Maya Evens leads the team with 247 digs over the 20 games.
Freshman Chichi Nnaji has 86 kills and, more impressively, 38 total blocks on the year, leading the young group. Defensively at the net, the Irish are led by sophomores Anna Bjork and Grace Langer, who have a combined 166 blocks. These two sophomores have single-handedly led Notre Dame in out-blocking opponents in most of the matches this season.
Junior setter Lily Fenton has stepped up these past few matches when junior setter Harmony Sample has been out. Fenton didn’t play in any matches in her freshman or sophomore year, but has played in six sets this year, earning herself 24 assists and 12 digs. Fenton leads her high school program as the all-time assist leader.
The Irish travel to play Wake Forest on Nov. 7, 2025, who are currently 10-13 on the year and 4-8 in ACC play. Offensively, the Deacons are led by senior outside hitter Paige Crawford who has 263 kills on the year so far, averaging 3.25 kills per set. Crawford has built a name for herself with the Deacons, earning the 2025 Wake Forest Invitational MVP award and making the Wake Forest Invitational All-Tournament team. In her junior year she led the team with 335 kills and had 39 service aces. She hit her 1000th career kill in a home game against SMU. Following close behind her is junior outside hitter Patrycja Lagida, hailing from Poland. Lagida has 200 kills on the year and has earned 234.5 points for Wake Forest this season alone. Senior libero Emma Farrell demands control of the back row, leading her team with 337 digs and averaging 4.11 digs per set.
After taking on the Deacons, Notre Dame travels to Raleigh, North Carolina to play the North Carolina State Wolfpack, who are 12th in the ACC at 4-8 and 11-11 overall. NC State is led offensively by senior outside hitter Courtney Bryant who has 261 kills on the year and has already earned 305 points for the Wolfpack. The sets would not be able to find the hands of the NC State offense if it weren’t for freshman libero Zuzia Maciejewicz who defends the back row productively, earning 246 digs.
Redshirt freshman setter Alyssa Forelli, although only playing in a handful of sets, is coming into her own on the Wolfpack as she gains more experience. Although not appearing in any matches her freshman year, she’s already played in 25 sets this year and has 41 assists.
The Irish will return home on Nov. 14 to take on No. 18 Miami.
