Rubel sisters lead Notre Dame to Class 5 Final Four

It was a long time coming for the Lady Bulldogs.

Notre Dame defeated John Burroughs 46-35 on Saturday, March 11, at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo, to advance to its first Final Four appearance since 2020.

However, the last time the Lady Bulldogs played in the state semifinal round was way back in 2010. The coronavirus pandemic occurred around this time three years ago to rob seniors Tori Rubel and Anna Garner of the opportunity.

“There’s just so much excitement,” Tori Rubel said, “especially since our freshman year, it got taken away from COVID, it's just extra special for us.”

“I think we just worked so hard all four years, Garner said. “Finally, we’re going to state. It’s so cool to experience.”

As usual, the Rubel sisters led the way for the Bulldogs. Freshman Brie Rubel scored a team-leading 16 points with nine rebounds. Tori scored 15 points with 12 rebounds for the team’s lone double-double. Freshman Kate Rubel scored only four points but also grabbed 11 boards.

With three of the four Rubel sisters on the same team this season, their father, Matt Rubel, jumped at the opportunity to join head coach Kirk Boeller’s staff and coach his daughters.

“He’s been nice enough to let me come in and help out a little bit where I can,” Rubel said. “I just had the time in my life this year getting to help them out.”

"He's been a tremendous support," Boeller said. "We lost a good assistant coach last year in Matt Floyd, and Matt [Rubel] stepped up and kind of filled his shoes. He knows basketball. He's just good to have around."

The Bulldogs made six shots from the three-point line and went 18-of-30 from the free-throw line.

"I didn't think we'd get many three-point shots because of John Burroughs' man defense," Rubel said. "They proved me wrong."

"We just get open," Boeller said. "We shoot it when we're open, not by design. We tried to get a lot of shots up. It's just part of our offense. If you're open, you shoot it."

Four of their six baskets from behind the arch came from Brie Rubel. The freshman has been playing her best games in the postseason. She scored 16 points in the Class 5 District 1 semifinal game against Cape Central on March 4, in Farmington.

"Her confidence improves every time we talk to her," Boeller said.

Notre Dame is slated to take on Carl Junction at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 17 on the campus of Missouri State in Springfield.