TOLEDO – A match against a team like Notre Dame is often used a measuring stick for building programs like Ross’ volleyball team.
Thursday night, however, the Lady Giants got a view of how they measured up with the Eagles, in both literal and figurative terms.
“We were incredibly short tonight,” Ross coach Kari Shull. “My tallest girl, their six hitters were all taller than her and when they put in the second string they were still taller than her.”
The Eagles used their size and their years as an elite program to roll to a three set sweep of the Lady Giants, 25-10, 25-10, 25-10.
“They’re a very nice team,” Shull said. “They definitely earned their points. Their attacks are at a point where you’re just not going to dig up. I don’t think our team stopped fighting. They kept playing.”
Olivia DeRodes totaled six kills, 12 passes and 12 digs for the Lady Giants. AnneMarie Moses added five kills with seven digs and 10 passes. Lindsay Weickert finished with 29 passes and nine digs while Olivia Baptista had nine passes and six digs.
Sarah Hrynciw had eight assists while Izzy Held had six digs.
“You’re talking years and years of tradition against a team with a first-year coach,” Shull said of the difference between Notre Dame and Ross. “That’s what we ’re trying to get to and build to that level and get that tradition going. And these players are the start of that process.”
Ross is now 3-13 overall and will travel to Sylvania Southview Saturday.