BALTIMORE – The Colonial States Athletic Conference saw its defending champions the Notre Dame (Md.) Gators return to conference play against Cairn University (2-10, 0-1 CSAC) on Thursday evening. The Gators were last seen hoisting the CSAC championship trophy on Nov. 9 of 2019. Notre Dame (Md.) did not disappoint its home crowd despite playing on back-to-back nights. Gabbi Taganas lifted the Gators' attack to a 3-0 (25-9, 25-20, 20-16) victory for the program's six consecutive wins against the Highlanders. Notre Dame (Md.) improves to 6-8 overall and 1-0 in the conference. 

"It was a great win tonight against a well coached opponent," Head Coach Henry DeTitta said. "There is always a little more pressure when you are playing a conference game and the team handled it well. Gabbi Taganas had a big game for us at the net that really steadied us."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• NDMU jumped out to a 10-1 lead behind immediate offense from Paulina Hernandez and Taganas. The pair accounted for three kills each in the first set. 
• Jade Stewart posted three additional kills to round out the set after a series of service aces from Notre Dame anchored by Natalie Newton. Newton ended with two aces to tie Angel Carino for the game-high.
• Taganas owed the start of set two, tallying five kills before the Highlanders made a late attempt to steal the second.
• Up 24-20 in the second, Hernandez slapped home the set point on an intense back and forth series to give Notre Dame the 2-0 lead. 
• During the third set, Taganas was active around the net early and made her presence felt. The sophomore was able to rock up five kills and a block in the set.
• Emma Mueller was huge down the stretch. She added two late kills to seal the win for Notre Dame (Md.)

OF NOTE

• Taganas compiled 13 kills to lead all Gators. Stewart was next in line with six kills in the win. 
• Mueller was once again the assist leader for NDMU. She had 13 assists and Newton had 12 of her own. 
• Stewart led Notre Dame (Md.) with 14 digs with Carino adding 13 to push her season total to 201. 

UP NEXT

Notre Dame will host a Tri-Match on Saturday against conference opponent Saint Elizabeth University at 2 p.m. and Penn State Harrisburg at 4 p.m. Watch on the Gators Network and follow live stats at Notredamegators.com.