Irish netters serve up success with conference sweep
By MATT OLIVA
Sports Writer
Entering the 1999 season, the Irish had five returning starters and high expectations as they prepared to repeat their long-time Big East success and advance deep into the NCAA tournament.
Instead of letting all the success and recognition go to their heads, they went out to prove that they were up to the challenge.
The Irish stormed through the competition en route to a fourth undefeated conference season, posting an impressive 11-0 mark in the conference and clinching the top seed for the Big East tournament.
The Irish achieved their success by combining great individual effort with a team effort.
Senior captain Mary Leffers and junior Christi Girton both earned Big East Player of the Week honors during the season. Leffers won it three times.
"Our theme was to take the season in small steps," she said. "We tried to go one game at a time. Our team was young and we did not want the overall picture to be overwhelming."
With five 1998 starters returning, the Irish had their sights set high heading into the season.
There were still some question marks, especially with the departure of Lindsey Treadwell, but they were quickly erased when the squad hit the floor.
Leffers was key for the Irish squad. The senior middle blocker set conference records for blocking and hitting percentage.
Ranked fifth nationally in blocks per game, Leffers became the 10th player in Irish history to reach the 1,000 kill mark. She also set a school record in hitting percentage with a .303 average.
"One thing that was important was that many of our young players got to see playing time," said Leffers. "This will benefit the program. We were not successful in terms of wins and losses but many players excelled on a personal level."
The Irish had four players named to the Big East all-conference team. Junior setter Denise Boylan joined Leffers with first-team recognition, while Girton and sophomore Kristy Kreher were both named to the second team.
After dropping the Big East final match to Georgetown, Notre Dame received an at-large bid in the West regional, where they lost to Ohio State in four grueling games, 13-15, 15-10, 16-14, and 15-7. With the elimination from the tournament, the Irish finished their season with a 20-9 record.
"When I came here we were ranked sixth in the country," Leffers said. "Obviously we did not go out as well, but I think our best years haven't even come. We have been through some ups and downs but the team is growing. The recruits coming in are supposed to be amazing which should help the program take off. Coach [Debra] Brown is trying to find the right group of players that fit the mold to do so. Maybe these next players will be the ones."
All Sports Stories for Friday, May 19, 2000
