Notre Dame hosted first time playoff participant Lakeway Christian Academy (White Plains, TN) Thursday evening. The experienced Irish squad made quick work of their opponent by scores of
25-8, 25-11, 25-18. Notre Dame now moves on to play in the DII-A East Region Final Four at Knox Grace on Saturday.
The first set was over in the blink of an eye. Notre Dame sided out to start the match and then sophomore Maggie Fillauer served 10 straight points, including 4 aces.
The Irish would coast to a 25-8 win, finished off with an ace by Olivia Chauncey.
The second set started a little more competitively. Kills by Lindsay Burns, Regan Wolf and Samantha Crisp would give Notre Dame a little breathing room and a seven point service run with two aces by Sam Brown would blow it open. A kill by Scarlett Hughes would get the Irish to the brink of the set win and a kill by Maggie Clotfelter would finish it.
The third set started sloppily for Notre Dame. A passing error and 3 hitting errors gave Lakeway their first lead of the night. The Irish would start to dig themselves out of the hole with defense by Riley McCormick and Madeline Solis. A setter kill by senior Mary Fillauer would draw Notre Dame even. Two more serving runs would be enough to secure the win.
The Irish will play at Knox Grace on Saturday against the host Lady Rams, while Boyd Buchanon will play Concord Christian Academy in the other semi match. Both matches tip off at 1:00 p.m. The losers will play in a consolation match at 3:00 p.m., while the winners will play for the region championship at 5:00 o'clock.
Notre Dame is now 25-5 and a perfect 10-0 in district play.
Notre Dame Stats:
Mary Fillauer 31 assists, 1 ace, 1 dig
Regan Wolf 8 kills, 2 block, 1 digs
Lindsay Burns 6 kills, 1 block, 2 digs
Riley McCormick 9 digs, 1 ace
Madeline Solis 4 digs, 1 ace
Samantha Crisp 4 kills, 4 digs
Maggie Fillauer 7 kills, 8 digs, 5 aces
Sam Brown 5 kills, 3 digs, 5 aces
Olivia Chauncey 1 ace
Maggie Clotfelter 1 kill
Scarlett Hughes 2 kills