NOTRE DAME, Ind. (November 1, 2009) – The Rutgers volleyball team improved its play throughout its match against Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon but could not pickup a set victory as the Scarlet Knights fell to the Irish, 3-0, at the Joyce Center in Notre Dame, Ind.
After the Irish (16-4, 10-0 BIG EAST) claimed a 25-16 first-set victory, the Scarlet Knights (9-16, 2-8 BIG EAST) held their own in the next two sets in front of 1,152 fans. ND outlasted RU in the final two sets by scores of 25-20, 25-23.
“Despite the loss, I am relatively pleased with how we played today,” Rutgers head coach
CJ Werneke said. “This team never backs down and we competed hard throughout the match. We had some opportunities to take control of the match but couldn’t capitalize. I feel we are narrowing the gap between the top teams and us in the conference and that is important as our program continues to progress.”
Junior outside hitter Caitlin Saxton (Encinitas, Calif.) swatted a match-high 15 kills. The co-captain has scored double-digit kills in 10 of Rutgers’ 14 three-set matches this season.
Freshmen Stephanie Zielinski (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) dished out a match-high 31 assists to give the setter her 10th match with 30-plus assists this season.
Junior Katie Groff (York, Pa.) continued her strong weekend by posting nine kills on a .200 attack percentage. During RU’s seven sets this weekend, the six-foot outside hitter tallied 19 kills in her most significant action of season.
“I am excited for Katie as she played very well this weekend,” said Werneke. “She has been working hard in practice and waiting for her opportunity and she made the most of it. It is always nice as a coach to see a player earn an opportunity to play and play well when they get out there.”
Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Curtis (Wasilla, Alaska) and senior libero Jamie Godfrey (Rahway, N.J.) shined defensively for the Scarlet Knights. Curtis smacked a match-high four total blocks and Godfrey scooped a match-high 16 digs.
Godfrey’s 16 digs moves her into eighth place on the school’s all-time career digs list with 873. Godfrey passed former Scarlet Knight Paula Bentley (1988-92) who racked up 861 digs during her career. Godfrey’s 358 digs this season ranks sixth on Rutgers’ all-time single-season list.
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Sophomore outside hitter Kristen Dealy and senior outside hitter Christina Kaelin led the way for the Irish as they scored 11 and 10 kills, respectfully.
The Notre Dame match completes Rutgers four-match road swing. RU will return to College Ave. Gym next weekend for its final home matches by facing Connecticut on Saturday and St. John’s on Sunday. First serve is set for 2 p.m. for both contests.
