Notre Dame splits matches with Wyoming, Colorado St.
By MATT OLIVA
Sports Writer
The Notre Dame volleyball team managed a split in this weekend's matches against Wyoming and Colorado State.
The Irish (6-3) went to five games to knock off the Cowgirls 15-8, 6-15, 15-11, 11-15, 15-8. They then traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado where the 17th-ranked Rams defeated the Irish in three games.
Against Wyoming the Irish totaled 65 kills, led by Christi Girton who had 21 kills in the five game match. Senior captain Mary Leffers contributed another 12 kills and a .400 hitting percentage while teammates Kristy Kreher and sophomore outside hitter Marcie Bomhack each added 11 kills. The Cowgirls kept the match close by adding 72 kills as a team and an overall .261 hitting percentage.
Defensively for the Irish, captains Denise Boylan and Leffers each had seven blocks, while Kreher and Keara Coughlin contributed 11 digs for the match.
"Wyoming played a lot better than we thought they were," said Kreher. "We struggled with defense and passing, but were able to pick it up."
The Irish were not as lucky against Colorado State. The Rams improved to a perfect 13-0 by defeating the Irish in straight games 15-9, 15-7, 15-7.
The Irish started out fast, taking a 7-2 lead in the first game. The Rams then went on a 13-2 run to the eventual win in the first game. They carried that momentum over to take games 2 and 3.
"After we got out to that lead, they really picked it up and played well," stated Kreher.
Once again junior outside hitter Christi Girton led the Irish with 13 kills and 11 digs. Bomhack also added eight kills and Leffers tallied seven blocks in the loss.
"They played incredible," said Kreher. "We made a lot of hitting errors and did not play like we have in the past, but we know we will play better."
The Irish begin their Big East conference schedule this Friday against West Virginia. They take on Pittsburgh Sunday.
"Our team is pretty confident going into our Big East games,"said Kreher. "We had a great practice last night and it really brought up our team morale. We are looking forward to playing this weekend."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, September 28, 1999
