Oct. 13, 2017
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Head coach Michelle Collier remains undefeated against the Fighting Irish as Georgia Tech volleyball (8-10, 3-4 ACC) rolled to a 3-1 victory over Notre Dame (13-5, 3-4 ACC) on Friday night. The Jackets have not lost in Notre Dame since their first meeting in 1994.
Head coach Michelle Collier says:
“I am so proud of their hustle tonight. We focused a lot on defense this week in practice and to come out of there with 94 digs is huge. We played as a team and with grit. That is the identity we need to have every night. I’m very proud of this win but now it’s time to shift the focus to Louisville on Sunday.”
How it happened:
Georgia Tech fell behind early but not to be counted out, the Jackets came back to tie the set up at 9-9 off a kill from senior Gabriela Stavnetchei. The Fighting Irish took another run but again Tech battled back for a tie at 13-13 with back-to-back kills from Stavnetchei. Notre Dame sneaked ahead for the third time and this time for good, pocketing the set at 25-19. Stavnetchei lead all offense with six kills in the set.
It was all coming up Jackets in the second set as an 8-0 run fueled Tech to an 11-3 lead. Notre Dame climbed back into the set, tying at 21-21 before a kill from senior Sydney Wilson and a block assist from Wilson and Stavnetchei gave Tech set point. It seemed Tech took the set with a kill from Stavnetchei but the teams were called back from the locker room to replay the final point after an illegal substitution from the Jackets. The Fighting Irish snuck one more point in but Stavnetchei ended it there, slamming home a kill to take the set at 25-23 and even the score at a set apiece.
The momentum stayed with Tech to start the third, jumping to an 8-3 league. The Fighting Irish started to find a rhythm, coming within three but a flurry of points from senior Gabby Benda, Stavnetchei and an ace from senior Ashley Askin put Tech ahead at 12-5. The Jackets would lead by as much as 11 and pocked the set at 25-17 for the 2-1 advantage.
The luck swayed to the side of the Irish to start the fourth, taking an 8-3 lead. Tech once again proved resilient, tallying four in a row to bring to score to 8-7 as Notre Dame took a timeout. The Jackets tied the set at 16-16 but the Irish edged ahead by two, inciting Collier to call a timeout. Trading points, the two teams sat tied at 19-19 off a kill from junior Lauren Frerking and Tech squeaked ahead for its first lead of the set at 20-19 with a block assist from Frerking and sophomore Kodie Comby. The Jackets didn’t let up and with three kills from Askin, took the set at 25-22 for the 3-1 victory.
Up next:
The Jackets finish out the road trip at Louisville on Sunday, taking the court at 3 p.m. on RSN.
Quick Hits:
– Georgia Tech remains undefeated in Notre Dame since their first meeting in 1994.
– Collier remains unbeaten against the Irish at Tech.
– Senior setter Gabby Benda tied her career high with 3 kills.
– Benda tallied a career high 52 assists.
– Senior outside hitter Gabriela Stavnetchei posted a career high 27 kills.
– Stavnetchei recorded her seventh double-double of the season (27 kills, 20 digs).
– Stavnetchei tallied a career high 20 digs.
– Senior Ashley Askin posted her third double-double of the season (17 kills, 19 digs).
– Askin notched a career high 17 kills.
– Freshman libero Sam Knapp recorded a career high 23 digs.
– Tech had a season high 94 digs.
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