Toledo Falls to Notre Dame in Three Sets

Sunday, September 17

Toledo, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

2-9,0-0MAC

Notre Dame

6-2,0-0ACC

Notre Dame

Toledo

Toledo fell to Notre Dame in three sets on Sunday in front of a crowd of 1,004 at Savage Arena.

9/17/2023 4:39:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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Rockets begin MAC play next week vs. Eastern Michigan

TOLEDO, Ohio – In front of an energetic, engaged crowd of 1,004 fans, the Toledo women's volleyball team dropped a hard-fought match to Notre Dame at Savage Arena on Sunday.

After the Fighting Irish won the first set, 25-16, both teams competed in a lengthy second set. The Rockets would end up on the losing end of the second frame, 30-28, before falling 25-19 in the third set to conclude the match.

"I think we learned a lot about ourselves," head coach Jason Oliver said. "It was really fun to play Notre Dame in two great environments. They had a great crowd at their place on Friday and the fans really showed up here today at Savage Arena. I wish things would have gone our way in the second set today, but we need to learn how to get through moments like that."

Three players tied for the team lead with seven kills: seniors Taylor Alt and Abby Erickson and sophomore Izzy Granger. Erickson also led Toledo with three blocks and two service aces. Fifth-year senior Ryann Jaqua tallied a team-best 17 digs and was a perfect 19-for-19 on reception attempts. Freshman Macy Hatkevich and senior Payton Morman collected 17 and nine assists, respectively.

Toledo begins MAC play next week at home vs. Eastern Michigan. The Rockets and Eagles will battle in Savage Arena on Thursday and Friday.

1^st Set (25-16, Notre Dame)
Notre Dame controlled the first frame from the outset, jumping out to a 7-1 lead. The Fighting Irish grew their lead into double digits, 18-8, and hit a robust .500 in the first set en route to a 25-16 win to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

2^nd Set (30-28, Notre Dame)
The second set was Toledo's longest of the season, and featured 13 ties and seven lead changes. The Rockets appeared to be in control early, doubling up Notre Dame at 14-7 after a 9-1 scoring run. Momentum swung back in the direction of the Fighting Irish, though, as they would use an 8-1 spurt to take a 21-19 advantage. Toledo fought back to tie the set at 22-22, and thus began an epic fight between the two squads. A kill from fifth-year senior Rhyenne Filisi brought about the first set point at 24-23, but Notre Dame quickly scored the next two points to put the Rockets on the brink. A fortuitous ND service error tied the score at 25-25, but UT's next serve failed to land in play as well to make the score 26-25. Back-to-back kills by senior Jada Bouyer and Granger put Toledo back on top, 27-26, and two plays later Granger's kill made the score 28-27 in favor of Toledo. Notre Dame scored the final three points of the set, however, to pull ahead and win 30-28.

3^rd Set (25-19, Notre Dame)
Both teams traded points early in the set, but following five straight Notre Dame points to put the score at 7-3, Toledo found itself unable to reclaim a share of the lead for the remainder of the match. The Rockets trimmed their deficit to three, 18-15, but would not get any closer as Notre Dame won the third set, 25-19, to end the match.