There's no place like home for the Irish
By MATT LOZAR
Assistant Sports Editor
Everybody talks about the advantage a home team has in football, basketball and even hockey. But here at Notre Dame, the team with the biggest home advantage might surprise a few people — the Irish volleyball team.
In its final home games of the season, Big East leader Notre Dame (18-5, 8-0 in the Big East) hosts Providence (2-23, 0-7) today and Boston College (12-13, 2-5) Sunday looking to extend its impressive home winning streaks.
Since joining the Big East in 1995, Notre Dame has never lost a home conference match, a span of 47 matches. Overall at home, the Irish are currently on a school record 33-match winning streak.
Attribute the streaks to good home cooking.
"I think there is a lot to do with [the home streaks]," Notre Dame coach Debbie Brown said. "We are in a familiar environment, have a pretty good routine and are more comfortable. We sleep better in our own beds and have no fatigue from traveling."
While Notre Dame doesn't average the 7,000 screaming fans recent opponent Hawaii draws every night, just playing in front of the home crowd is enough for the players.
"I don't know if there is a difference in comfort, but it is nice to have home matches, having the fans and cheerleaders support you," middle blocker Lauren Kelbley said.
"We don't have an intimidating atmosphere here, so I don't think non-Big East teams are intimidated," Brown said.
While Big East teams experience the dominance of the Irish in conference play every year, non-conference opponents don't know about the Irish rarely losing at home, until they experience it first hand.
"I don't know if that is common knowledge when they (our opponents) come in," Brown said. "For Big East teams, they probably realize it a little bit, and they would definitely prefer to play at their place than here. Teams out of conference, it really doesn't matter."
With the current 33-game home winning streak, highlighted by a win over No. 10 Pepperdine in September, the Irish must be on the top of their game every time they step on the court.
"They (opponents) have to play their best game of the year and usually come in really pumped," Kelbley said. "We know that every team that comes is going to be pumped and ready to play Notre Dame."
The Irish also have two impressive streaks in conference action. Including regular season and postseason matches, the Irish haven't lost since the 1999 Big East Tournament Championship — a stretch of 33 matches. Counting only regular season matches, the Irish have won 40 straight.
To extend all of their streaks this weekend against the Friars and Golden Eagles, the Irish have to worry about not beating themselves.
"I think with both of these games, we have to concentrate on our side of the net," Brown said. "We just have to execute the basics and not worry about our opponent. In order for either of our opponents to win, they realize we have to have an off night."
Notre Dame plays Providence today at 4 p.m. and Boston College Sunday at 1 p.m.
All Sports Stories for Friday, November 1, 2002
