Sept. 23, 2000

Box Score

The University of Notre Dame volleyball team (9-4) lost its first match in two weeks with a three game loss (7-15, 7-15, 14-16) to #4 Colorado State (14-1) at the Joyce Center Saturday night. CSU earns the 2000 Golden Dome Invitational title after going 2-0 on the weekend (the Rams also knocked off Wyoming 3-0 on Friday night).

The 24th-ranked Irish squad battled the Rams throughout the match and even had a 14-10 advantage in the third game, but CSU fought off five game points and rallied to clinch the match victory.

Notre Dame was led by senior Christi Girton, who notched 16 kills and 12 digs in the match. Juniors Kristy Kreher and Malinda Gorlaski each added nine kills.

The Rams were able to put up some sizzling hitting numbers on the night, including a .393 hitting percentage in the match. The Irish countered in game three with some solid offense of their own. Kreher had three of her nine kills and junior Marcie Bomhack had three kills and a block in the third and final game.

Colorado State had three players in double figure kills, led by tournament MVP Angela Knopf with 17. Summer Jennings and setter Allison Peckham were named to the 2000 Golden Dome all-tournament team.

Girton and Goralski were the Irish players named to the all-tournament team.

The Golden Dome invitation completes the fourth tournament the Irish have played in the month of September and the third in the Joyce Center. Notre Dame will begin BIG EAST play on Friday, Sept. 29, at home against Villanova.

2000 Golden Dome Invitational
All-Tournament Team


MVP: Angela Knopf, Colorado State

All-Tournament Team:
Summer Jennings, Colorado State
Allison Peckman, Colorado State
Christi Girton, Notre Dame
Malinda Goralski, Notre Dame
Sarah McFarland, Loyola Marymount
Melody Friehauf, Wyoming

Best defensive specialist in the tournament:
Kathryn Pettit, Colorado State