Notre Dame Prep improved to 32-6-3 and won their third tournament of the year as they went 5-0-1 at the Bloomfield Hills High School tournament.
The Irish opened the day by defeating Oakland Christian, 25-5, 25-19, behind the play of Emma Kowalkowski’s 10 serving points and 17 digs. Morgan Verheyen led the attack with five kills and three blocks. The second match of the day saw the Irish defeat Oak Park, 25-11, 25-6. Kennedy Dorantes served up eight points, Maddy Chinn had eight kills and Kowalkowski added another 10 digs to her totals.
The final match in pool play pitted the two undefeated teams Farmington Harrison and NDP. The two teams split, with the Irish taking the first, 25-18, and Harrison fighting back to take the second, 26-24. Kowalkowski had seven points and 17 digs. Freshmen Natalie Risi had six kills and 14 digs and Chinn led all attackers with 11 kills.
The elimination round found the Irish seeded third (although they won their pool). NDP took on the Monarchs from Cabrini and defeated them, 25-16, 25-8. Risi and Chinn once again led the attack with seven and eight kills, respectively, while Kowalkowski had yet another standout game on defense with 20 digs.
In the semifinal round of action, Notre Dame sent Rochester Adams home with scores of 25-17, 25-17. Marisa Ciszewski had 11 serving points and 12 assists and Kowalkowski added another 20 digs. Gabby Shilling, Risi, and Chinn each collected seven kills in the balanced attack.
The finals had two familiar teams facing each other: Harrison and Notre Dame. This time the Irish came out swinging and took the tournament by scores of 25-9, 25-20. Risi and Chinn (seven and 10 kills, respectively) once again led the Irish offense as Notre Dame hit for an outstanding 527 average. Kowalkowski led the defense with 13 digs.
The Irish will return to league play on Tuesday, at home vs. Divine Child.
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
Follow us on Twitter @NDPMA
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.