Aug. 30, 2002

Box Score

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Nationally-ranked Notre Dame limited UWM to a .054 hitting percentage and recorded 15 blocks to claim a 30-26, 30-17, 30-26 win Friday night on the opening evening of play in the Shamrock Invitational.

Karen Fruit had nine kills and Sarah Potts had eight to lead the Panthers (0-1), who played without starting outside hitter Tari Boutin, sidelined at least three more weeks with a broken finger.

Lauren Kelbley had 12 kills and Lauren Brewster 10 to lead the Fighting Irish (1-0), who entered the match ranked 25th nationally by the AVCA.

The Panthers and Irish played even throughout the first game, with UWM eventually building a series of two-point advantages. The final time came at 19-17, but the Irish rattled off four-straight points to claim a 21-19 edge. UWM rallied to tie the game at 23, but Notre Dame followed by scoring seven of the final 10 points of the game to claim the win.

In game two, the Irish took control from the outset, turning a 7-6 lead into an 18-9 advantage thanks in part to four kills by Kelbley. UWM never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.

In game three, UWM held its final lead at 13-12 and actually trailed by as many as eight points late in the game before rallying. A kill by Lindsey Spoden brought UWM within 29-24, before a Melissa Lange service ace and an Irish attack error made it 29-26. But Kelbley's 12th kill of the match finished the game and the match for the Irish.

After hitting .195 in the first game, the Panthers hit just -.033 in game two and -.024 in game three. The irish hit .342 in the first game and .414 in the second game before retreating to a .111 hitting percentage in the third game.

Four Panthers made their collegiate debut in the contest. Rachel Kuebbing had six kills while Molly McNab added four. Lange had three assists plus her service ace while Gina Petersen recorded a dig.

The tournament continues Saturday with UWM facing Cal Poly at 4:30 p.m. and Notre Dame facing Cincinnati at 7 p.m. The Panthers wrap up play in the tournament Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. contest against Cincinnati.