Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News
Playing at Notre Dame was a new experience for everyone connected with the Wright State volleyball team except second-year coach Allie Matters. She’s a former Seton Hall star who competed against the Irish many times while the schools were in the Big East.
“I’ve played in that same arena. And to be honest, I don’t have many good memories there,” she said with a chuckle.
But her players didn’t carry any emotional scars into the Golden Dome Invitational last weekend. Even while touring the Notre Dame Hall of Fame and seeing the many plaques for past volleyball greats, Matters didn’t sense any intimidation.
The Raiders, who have just two seniors, were more juiced up than jumpy over getting a shot at such a glamour program.
“When you’re able to go into a match like that with a nothing-to-lose mentality, you can just battle. There’s no pressure, and the team rose to the occasion,” said Matters, whose squad prevailed, 25-23, 28-26, 23-25, 17-25, 15-11.
“I have goosebumps just thinking about it,” she added. “Notre Dame has such a rich tradition, and it was so cool for the girls to experience a stage like that. To have that kind of memory, it keeps us hungry and humble.”
