SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Notre Dame College volleyball team won both its matches on Saturday 3-0 to improve to 12-4 (2-0 MEC) on the season. The Falcons start the MEC season off 2-0 for the first time since 2014.
 
NDC had both its offense and defense rolling in the first game against Frostburg State. With 46 kills compared to FSU's 25, the Falcons were able to sweep the Bobcats without allowing more than 16 points in a single set. Notre Dame had an attack percentage of .365 while holding FSU to a mark of .038.
 
Playing a big role in the offensive output were Kaye Dregalla and Katie Richardson, who led the team in kills with 11 and nine, respectively. Richardson had zero errors on 17 attempts while Dregalla had just one on 22 attempts.
 
Alexandra Kaeberlein and Mary Kate McHugh led the team with 11 digs each while Paige Staudacher recorded 36 assists.
 
Head coach Travis Hinkle said starting the season off 2-0 in conference play is huge for his team.
 
"The MEC is a tough night every night and no game is guaranteed a win," Hinkle said. "So to get two wins against divisional opponents is a great catapult. Last year we started 0-3 and had to dig our way out through most of October to get our record back where we wanted it. So it's a much better feeling this year."
 
One of the big difference makers this season the new additions to the roster. Through 16 games three freshmen rank in the top five in kills with Dregalla leading the team (158) and Blair Barr ranking third (105).
 
"Having the freshmen come in and be able to spread our offense with multiple reliable people is crucial," said senior Mary Kate McHugh. "I think that has been a big part of our success. We have so many people that other teams don't know who we're going to set or who is going to pick up the ball because everyone can do it."
 
Notre Dame utilized everyone in game two as the team kept momentum going against Salem, holding the Tigers to just 35 points over three sets and an attack percentage of -.162. All 15 players who dressed for the Falcons saw playing time, most in multiple sets.
 
NDC had such a strong performance that Coach Hinkle decided to play some of his athletes in new positions.
 
"This week, for the first time, we faced some adversity with injuries and sickness," Hinkle said. "So we actually practiced with some of those players in those positions. I didn't think about doing it in the game, but it got to the point where I felt comfortable with our momentum and I wanted to give our players the opportunities to play in those spots after they stepped up in practice.
 
"It was a lot of fun. And even though we made some mistakes, they embraced playing those positions. This team is so much fun because no matter what I ask of them, they are excited to do it. And their teammates are so supportive the moment they step on the court."
 
McHugh dittoed her coach's remarks after the game with enthusiasm.
 
"It was so much fun," she said. "It's just one of those games where everyone is supporting each other and people get thrown into different positions to try new things. We just went out and played our game without over thinking it."
 
McHugh led the team in game two with seven kills while Dregalla, Morgan Tenny and Erin Daugherty each recorded five. Staudacher had 22 assists while Laura Krupar tallied 10. Riley Coleman led the way defensively with 15 digs and Kaeberlein was second with 10 as the two shared libero duties.
 
With 14 kills on the day, McHugh is now second in NDC career history with 1,330. She is close to the program record of 1,366. The North Canton, Ohio native also moved up the list in career digs as she is now fifth with 1,270.
 
Also nearing a school record is Staudacher who needs just 26 assists to break the program record of 3,193. The setter will look to move up to the number one spot on Tuesday as the Falcons host two games.
 
Notre Dame hosts a tri-match on Tuesday, October 1. NDC's games against Point Park and Ursuline are slated for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. starts.