The #21 ranked men's volleyball team ventured to NIU and Dekalb, Illinois this past weekend for their first of two conference play days. In a conference featuring the national champions from each of the past three years, the Irish had their work cut out for themselves.

The opening match was against last year's national runner-up and current #4, Lakeland College. While the Irish were able to keep pace with the powerhouse for the majority of the match, they were unable to break ahead and grab a victory. Despite the strong outside hitting of Dan Zibton, the Irish began the day with a loss in straight sets, 21-25 and 18-25.

Immediately after their loss to Lakeland, Notre Dame was pitted against the slightly less formidable Illinois State. In the first set, starting Irish middle Tim Goldsmith suffered a groin injury that sent him to the bench for the rest of the day, but junior Jason Gott was able to fill in and carry the load. Notre Dame dominated the young Illinois State team in straight sets, 25-19 and 25-20.

The next tests came when the Irish were set to face both top 30 UW-Milwaukee, and current #1 and two time defending national champions, UW-Oshkosh in consecutive matches. The Irish came out strong against UW-Milwaukee, but the quick offense kept Notre Dame on its heels. The Irish lost the first game, but rallied back in the second behind near-perfect attacking by freshman Mark Iandolo and grabbed the second game, 25-22. A small lapse caused the Irish fall behind in the third, but they rectified it and put the panthers away, 15-11.

The test of the day came against the appropriately named Titans of UW-Oshkosh. Holding the #1 spot for nearly two years straight, Notre Dame found themselves in a David versus Goliath sized battle. After consecutive aces to begin the match, the Irish were given hope that they could beat the unbeatable, but that is about where it ended. UW-Oshkosh regained form and proceeded to control the match, handing Notre Dame their second loss of the day.

In order to finish above .500, the Irish needed to close out the day with consecutive victories against lower-ranked Ball State and Iowa State. Following the drubbing at the hands of Oshkosh, the Notre Dame looked to pass on the favor to Ball State. With a strong serving attack, led by sophomore Michael Nejedly, the Irish succeeded and beat Ball State in consecutive sets, 25-18 and 25-21.

With their six and final match against Iowa State, Notre Dame was eyeing a respectable finish. Behind outstanding defense by sophomore Arthur Kinsey and outside hitting of Ted Grossestreuer, the Irish gained an early lead. The Cyclones caught fire and proceeded to take the lead and close out a first game win. With their backs against the wall, Notre Dame found the intensity they needed, and pushed back against ISU. The Irish closed out the final two games and the match, finishing the day 4-2 and in position to make noise in the rest of conference play.

The walls started shaking. The earth was quaking. The Notre Dame men's volleyball team was making some noise in the little town of St. Joseph, Michigan. The annual "Battle at the House of Noise" at Lake Michigan Catholic pitted Notre Dame against rival Michigan State on Saturday night. In the four year history of the game, the Irish have fallen short in ever match. With key additions to the team, such as Peter Balstracci and Daniel Rinzler, the Irish eyed to close their losing streak. The gym was packed to the brim, full with fans eager to watch an excellent volleyball match.

The Irish broke from their pep talk by head coach Lindsey Miller with a fury. After the announcer gave his trademark, "It's time for let's play volleyball", the first serve was put in play and it was apparent Notre Dame was not going to simply lie down. Fueled by high-powered hitting by middle blocker Tim Goldsmith, the offense was going on all cylinders in the first game. The Spartans had no match for the Irish, as Notre Dame cruised to a first game victory, 25-17.

Following a verbal lashing by their coach, the Spartans came out for the second set with intensity. An early run by Michigan State left the Irish in a hole for the majority of the game. Despite superb defense by outside hitter Alex Lewis, the Irish could not make up the deficit they gave to the Spartans early. Michigan State held on and took the second set, 21-25.

With the sets tied at 1-1, both teams eyed to capture the pivotal third set. Early in the set, the Spartans held onto the momentum generated in the previous game. The Irish were down 17-24, facing a Spartan game point, when libero and team heartthrob John Tibble went back to serve. Following blocks by Mike Nejedly and kills by outside hitter Dan Zibton, the Irish found themselves rallying back. Notre Dame inched back into the game and passed the Spartans with an 8-0. At 25-24, the crowd was on their feet and biting their fingernails as every point was crucial. The Spartans were able to get Tibble off the back line with a sideout and regain the serve. Notre Dame pushed back to regain the lead at 26-25, but were unable to keep their momentum as Michigan State proceeded to score three straight points to win the third set, 26-28.

Notre Dame was then in a must-win situation entering the fourth game, and the Irish played accordingly. Starting opposite Mark Iandolo was an unstoppable force, putting down a kill almost every time he touched the ball. In a back and forth game, Notre Dame was able to pull out the victory in the end, 25-20.

As in the previous two years of the match, the rivals found themselves in a fifth and determining set. The Irish jumped out to an early 3-1 lead and had their eyes on a victory. The Spartans were able to claw back and tie the game at 7-7. The Irish took a one-point lead, but needed to create a larger one. With a trick play signaled and a perfect pass, Mark Iandolo flew into the middle and found a net with no blockers. Iandolo proceeded to do what he does best and bounced the volleyball into the rafters, leaving a crater in the hardwood, gasps from the crowd, and killing the hopes of the Spartans. Notre Dame controlled the rest of the game and closed the match with a 15-12 fifth set win, taking home their first victory from the "Battle at the House of Noise".