Sept. 14, 2013
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NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Auburn dropped a volleyball heartbreaker Saturday night in the championship match of the Shamrock Invitational, falling to Notre Dame 3-2 (28-26, 25-17, 16-25, 16-25, 11-15) at Purcell Pavilion.
Auburn (9-2) won the first two sets and appeared to have all the momentum, but an outstanding blocking effort from the Fighting Irish (5-3) led the Notre Dame comeback.
Katherine Culwell led all hitters with 19 kills, and Camila Jersonsky had a season-high 15. Sarah Wroblicky also had a season-high 25 digs, and ChelseaWintzinger and Ciara Richards both had double-doubles. Wintzinger finished with 28 assists and 11 digs, and Richards had 25 assists with 10 digs.
Despite Notre Dame's efforts, Auburn had a season-high 10 blocks. Stephanie Campbell was in on four of them, giving her nine stuffs over her last two matches. Jersonsky also had four blocks, including one solo stop, and Kathia Rud and Courtney McDonald added three apiece.
The Irish were led by Jeni Houser, who earned tournament MVP honors with an 18-kill, 13-block performance. Auburn actually had more kills and digs than Notre Dame, but the blocking was the difference as Auburn was held below .100 hitting for the final three sets and Notre Dame had 17 blocks in the match. Maggie Brindock and Sammie Brown were part of six blocks each.
Auburn also ran into uncharacteristic trouble in the serve and serve-receive game. The Tigers committed eight service errors in the match and were on the wrong end of five Notre Dame aces, along with several other poor receptions that kept taking the Tigers out of system. Notre Dame was able to take advantage to the tune of .300 and above hitting in the third and fourth sets.
It was the first time since 2008 that Auburn lost a match after winning the first two sets. Both Tiger losses this season have come in five-set affairs.
The Tigers will play the inaugural match at Auburn Arena next Saturday, Sept. 21, as 15th-ranked Florida State visits the Plains. The match is set for a noon start, and admission is free.