Notre Dame volleyball: Irish rally to beat Hokies

Down 24-20 in the third set, the University of Notre Dame volleyball team was just one point away from trailing Virginia Tech 2-1 in a best-of-five Atlantic Coast Conference match. What followed was four straight points from the home team, highlighted by two solo blocks from senior Nicole Smith that jump-started a Notre Dame run that ultimately led to a 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-22) victory over the Hokies Wednesday night at Purcell Pavilion.

Junior Jeni Houser led the Irish with 13 kills, five digs and four blocks while hitting .440. Senior Nicole Smith added 12 kills and three blocks, while junior Toni Alugbue had a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs to go along with four blocks. Freshman Simmone Collins turned in the best match of her career with six kills and a team-high six blocks, while senior setter Maggie Brindock spearheaded the offense with 42 assists, four kills, the team’s two service aces and five blocks.