HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Notre Dame volleyball opened their Colonial States Athletic Conference schedule Saturday as they traveled to Centenary University.  At the Cyclones, the Gators also faced Mount St. Mary College of New York in the trimatch.

NDMU vs. Centenary
Notre Dame took a conference opening victory over the Cyclones, 3-0.  The Gators came out strong against Centenary holding them to only 13 points in the first two sets and then only allowing six in the third (25-13, 25-13, 25-6). 

Sophomores Sarah Sweet and Michaila Sheedy led the team with a combined 17 kills, 10 for Sweet and seven for Sheedy.  The team finished with 31 overall, with seven different players posting a kill.

From the service line, the Gators tallied 12, their 10^th match this season with 10 or more aces in a match.  Junior Sara Few led the way with four aces, followed by junior Mary Marquez with three. 

On the defensive end, Marquez and Sweet posted double-digit digs, Marquez finishing with 16 and Sweet with 11.  Freshman Emma Jordan added six digs, while also adding two aces.

NDMU vs. Mt. St. Mary (N.Y.)
Against the Knights, the Gators fell, 3-0.  In the opening set, Notre Dame held set point, but MSMC went on a six-point run to help tie up the set and eventually win, 29-27.  Notre Dame would hold strong in the second, but would fall 25-18 and 25-15 in the third.

Freshman Alyssa Kerns paced the team with eight kills, while Sweet and Sheedy combined for 13.

The Gators had five aces against the Knights, led by Sweet with two.

Senior Ricelle Taganas posted 19 assists, followed by Few with six.

On defense, the Gators tallied 43 digs, led by Marquez with 19.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Notre Dame continues their CSAC schedule next week as they host Rosemont College on Wednesday.