OWINGS MILLS, MD – The Notre Dame of Maryland volleyball team started the 2025 season out with a resounding victory in their opener, taking down McDaniel College in four sets. NDM would go on to fall to tri-match hosts Stevenson University 3-0.

Notre Dame of Maryland opened its 2025 volleyball season on a high note, defeating McDaniel 3–1 (25–23, 24–26, 28–26, 25–17) on Saturday afternoon, avenging a 3-0 defeat to McDaniel in the 2024 season.

The Gators set the tone early, edging out the first set 25–23 before narrowly dropping the second. They responded with grit, rallying in a thrilling third set, 28–26, and carried that momentum into a decisive 25–17 finish in the fourth.

Kaliyah Brown led the way with a team-high 14 kills and five aces, finishing with 19 points. Rosemary O'Brien added 10 kills, and Gwen Abnett chipped in six kills and two aces. Setter Alyson Lackovic orchestrated the attack with 18 assists, three aces, and 17 digs, while libero contributions came from Aleah Johnson (24 digs) and steady back-row defense that totaled 78 digs on the afternoon.

Notre Dame of Maryland combined for 48 kills and 17 service aces, capitalizing on key runs in tight moments such as winning four of the last five points to take the third set and winning the last seven points of set four to take the match over the Green Terror.

In the final match of the day, NDM dropped its road match at Stevenson, falling in straight sets (25–13, 25–19, 25–19).

The Gators fought to find their rhythm offensively, led by Kaliyah Brown, who tallied 10 kills and added an ace for a team-high 11 points. Rosemary O'Brien and Myla Palmer chipped in a pair of kills each, while Elora Taala provided a spark off the bench with a kill on three swings.

Setter Alyson Lackovic directed the offense with 12 assists and added three service aces, while Izzy Stewart anchored the back row with a team-high 20 digs. Aleah Johnson and Myla Palmer each contributed four digs as the Gators worked to slow Stevenson's balanced attack. Despite the 3–0 setback, Notre Dame showed defensive resilience, collecting 42 digs as a team.

The Gators will next travel to nearby Goucher College to take on the Gophers on Wednesday, September 3 at 7 PM.