Printer-Friendly Format     E-mail this article     Lauren Brewster led the team in blocks with 10 against West Virginia, to go along with her seven kills.

Irish hold Mountaineers to .114 hitting and will remain in first place in the conference standings.

Oct. 27, 2002

Box Score

The University of Notre Dame volleyball team (17-5, 8-0) continued its BIG EAST Conference dominance with a four-game victory (30-23, 30-20, 28-30, 30-20) over West Virginia (9-14, 3-5) in the Joyce Center on Sunday afternoon. The Irish have strengthened their hold on first place in the conference standings and extend their numerous conference winning streaks. Notre Dame has won 40 consecutive regular-season BIG EAST matches, 33-straight against all conference opponents, 33 straight on the Joyce Center floor and 47 consecutive matches against all BIG EAST teams at home.

A determined team effort kept the Irish ahead most of the match against the Mountaineers. Junior outside hitter Jessica Kinder led Notre Dame with 14 kills, while adding six digs and four blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Emily Loomis also had a solid match with 11 kills, seven digs and six blocks.

Notre Dame's defense at the net, which led the nation in block average entering the week, dominated once again versus West Virginia. The Irish posted 20 team blocks in the victory, led by freshman Lauren Brewster (who is ranked 12th nationally in block average) with 10 blocks. Kristen Kinder had five blocks, while Lauren Kelbley and Loomis had six each.

The Irish offense steadily improved throughout the match. After hitting just .132 in the first game, Notre Dame secured the victory with a .462 hitting mark in game four.

Notre Dame returns to action on Tuesday, Oct. 29, with a one-day road trip to Normal, Ill., to face Illinois State. The Irish will be back in BIG EAST play on Friday, Nov. 1, against Providence at 4 p.m.