Notre Dame Martinizes Canyon in Three Games

By the third game of Canyon High’s match against Notre Dame in the first round of the Southern Section Division II volleyball playoffs, the Cowboys knew what to expect of outside hitter Kathryn Martin but were powerless to stop her.

Martin had eight of her 14 kills in the final game as Notre Dame defeated the Cowboys, 15-2, 15-9, 16-14, Thursday night at Notre Dame.

The Knights will play Notre Dame Academy in the second round at a site to be determined.

Martin was Notre Dame’s most consistent hitter in the first two games, and when the Knights fell behind, 12-10, in the final game, setter Hilda Osmanian passed almost exclusively to Martin.

She responded with four kills to lead the comeback in Notre Dame’s first playoff appearance since 1991.

“We’ve had different players step up all season, other people besides Kathryn,” Notre Dame Coach Shaney Fink said. “But she played well all night.”

Notre Dame (14-3) came out with a solid defensive scheme and took advantage of Canyon’s miscues to forge a 9-1 lead.

As the Cowboys (12-3) warmed up, Notre Dame kept up the defensive intensity. Six players finished with at least three blocks. Briana Hadfield, Annie Renaud and Martin each had four blocks.