Nov. 24, 2006

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Four players recorded kills in the double digits as No. 18 Ohio (28-3) defeated Notre Dame (18-13), 3-1 (30-28, 27-20, 30-26, 30-23), at the Cardinal Thanksgiving Challenge on Friday.

Freshman outside hitter Ellen Herman (Toledo, Ohio) led the attack with 19 kills while earning 21.5 points. Juniors Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) had 18 kills apiece. Blackburn also had 19 digs, marking her 18th double-double of the season. Griffin hit a team-best .390 and matched Herman's 21.5 points. Sophomore Amanda Andersen (Lino Lakes, Minn.) recorded a season-high 17 kills.

Senior Savanah Parra (Temecula, Calif.) set the offense with 67 assists. Parra also picked up 14 digs, marking her 12 double-double of the season. She also had four blocks; three assisted and one solo.

Senior Michaele Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) sparked the defense with a team-high 20 digs.

As a team Ohio posted 77 kills and hit .287 percent. The Bobcats registered 79 digs and 15 blocks.

Christina Kaelin led the Fighting Irish with 19 kills and Adrianna Stasiuk had 17 kills. Serenity Phillips posted 15 kills and Mallorie Croal added 13.

Notre Dame was the runner-up in the Big East Tournament last weekend. The Fighting Irish dropped a 3-2 decision to Louisville in the finals.

Ohio has won 21 matches in a row and will conclude the season against Big East Tournament champion Louisville on tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.