Bulldogs run table to capture title at Spike tourney

It's hard to imagine the Notre Dame volleyball team having a better weekend.

The Bulldogs went 7-0 to win the SEMO Spike tournament, a 48-team affair that wrapped up Saturday night at the Show Me Center.

"Our school had never won this tournament before," said Notre Dame coach Tara Stroup, whose squad is 14-1 overall. "They're excited."

Notre Dame defeated Eminence 25-23, 25-19 in the championship match to capture the region's biggest high school volleyball tournament.

Meghan Dohogne had eight kills to lead the Bulldogs, while Allyson Bradshaw added six kills.

Setter Shannon Brennan distributed 14 assists, Alyssa Roup had nine digs and two service aces, and Lindsay Strieker served 14 points.

The Bulldogs' most impressive victory came in the semifinals as they knocked off Scott City in a battle of state-ranked teams 16-25, 26-24, 25-14.

Scott City, No. 2 in Class 2, had beaten Class 3 No. 4 Notre Dame in two games Wednesday.

"The Scott City game was the big highlight for the girls. We played so good," Stroup said. "When we beat them the second game, the momentum shifted. Everything started going our way."

Dohogne again paced the Bulldogs in kills with 12, followed by Bradshaw with eight and Strieker with seven. Brennan dished out 23 assists.

Notre Dame upended another tough area squad in the quarterfinals, slipping past Leopold 25-8, 21-25, 25-19.

Dohogne had seven kills, while Brennan recorded 14 assists and five kills.

The Bulldogs started Saturday's bracket play with a 25-13, 25-11 rout of Poplar Bluff.

Dohogne had six kills and Kate Edwards added five. Bradshaw contributed 11 digs and three aces. Brennan had 17 assists.

"We had a really good tournament, a really good day," Stroup said. "I'm very proud of the girls and happy for them."