Notre Dame is No. 14 in the AVCA/USA Today Coaches Poll. The Irish are No. 1 in NCAA Division I blocks per game. Its a good thing for Illinois State that the Redbirds leading hitter, Laura Doornbos, is back from an ankle injury to lead her team.
Redbird coach Sharon Dingman appreciates her sophomore outside hitters return to the lineup, which featured a 20-kill, season-best .370 hitting performance Saturday night at Valley leader SMS, just her second match back.
Friday (at Wichita State) was a struggle for her, but we felt she needed to get back on the court and back in the swing of playing, said Dingman. She looked so much more comfortable on Saturday and (setter) Kelly (Rikli) was very comfortable setting her.
Doornbos, and her four kills per game, were out of the lineup for five matches. She liked what she saw when she had to watch, as her team rallied to win all five of those matches and compile a six-match winning streak.
I saw how our work ethic picked up, said Doornbos. Our team picked up its intensity. I think were still playing like that now. We know what we need to do to finish the regular season strong.
The Irish, 16-2, feature a versatile offense set by third-year starter Kristen Kinder and that intimidating blocking unit led by sophomore middle Lauren Brewster.
Our matches with Notre Dame are always a challenge, said Dingman, whose team plays at 6 p.m. Central Time in the Joyce Athletics and Convocation Center. We need to take advantage of our speed against their size.
Usually, the Birds and the Irish play late in the season during the week and Dingman likes the match-up.
Both teams get better playing this match when they do, said Dingman. We have to work on some things to finish our conference schedule strong and this gives us a chance to do that.
Doornbos thinks playing a team that blocks like Notre Dame can make her a better hitter.
Notre Dame makes you have to be a smarter hitter because of their block, said Doornbos.
Doornbos and sophomore middle Emily Kabbes, who had 11 kills and hit .407 at SMS, both have missed some valuable court time this season--Doornbos because of her ankle and Kabbes when she had strep throat. Since they account for seven of Illinois States 14.5 kills per game, their good health makes a difference for the Birds, who are 11-12.
The Redbirds return home to play five of their last seven Valley matches in Redbird Arena, starting with a 7 p.m. Saturday match with Indiana State.
