The Fighting Irish faithful (including Superman and a leprechaun) were on hand last night in Clawson to cheer the NDP volleyball team to victory.Notre Dame Prep, powered by the offense of recently named “Miss Volleyball” Katherine Carlson and fueled by a tenacious defense, find themselves headed to back to the final four for the second straight year. The Irish defeated a high-energy Falcon team from Divine Child, 25-14, 25-12, 25-15, to earned a return trip to Battle Creek.
Carlson once again dominated the match with 25 kills (no hitting errors) as she seemed to score at will. She added 11 points, including three aces and 13 digs. Libero Emma Kowalkowski directed the defense as she had 22 digs and 21 service receptions to go with her seven points. Bella Bucchi had 10 digs to go with her seven points. Erica Schwegman had eight kills and Caitlin Fitzgerald added a half-dozen more. Ashley Knutson tallied 19 assists and 11 digs while fellow setter Hannah Antosz contributed 15 assists and 12 digs.
The 57-5 Irish now take on North Branch in the state semifinal round this Thursday, 7:15 p.m., in Battle Creek.
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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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.