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Notre Dame VB Preview: Team-first mindset to propel Bulldogs in 2024
Now is your time to shine, Notre Dame.
“Honestly, right now, this is probably the most comfortable I feel going into a season just with the leadership that I've seen so far,” eighth-year head coach Meridith Brinkmeyer said. “It's not just stemming from my seniors, but even the juniors that are filling in, the sophomores, and that sort of thing. So, for once I feel like I really don't have a big question mark just because of what I've seen so far this season.”
That’s no small statement considering Brinkmeyer’s teams have gone 72-21-11 since 2021, including back-to-back District 1 titles from 2021-22.
While Brinkmeyer admitted that level of optimism could always change, the Bulldogs have all the pieces to storm back into the Class 3 state playoff picture.
Despite losing team captain Aubrey Neumeyer to graduation and Katie and Brie Rubel to St. Vincent High School, the returning talent is not a concern by any means. The Bulldogs boast productive star power, beginning with senior Courtney Tatum – a two-time first-team all-district selection who posted a team-high 310 kills and a career-high 98 blocks in 2023. Junior setter and four-year starter Claudia Jones is back following a historic 2023 campaign where she broke the single-season school record in assists with 946. Brinkmeyer also noted that seniors Kendyl Slinkard, Lyla Martin, and Skylar Craft are other valuable returnees who will help anchor the Bulldog lineup.
A promising crop of newcomers are destined to emerge this fall as well, including Olivia Cox and Morgan LeGrand – a pair of sophomores who Brinkmeyer has been particularly high on this offseason.
“I'm looking for them to kind of step up and fill some big roles for us,” Brinkmeyer said. “Both bring a lot of volleyball experience, especially from the club side of things, even though they are both sophomores. I know Morgan Legrand’s (club) team got to go to nationals in Las Vegas this year, so that's exciting.”
Add in two promising freshmen in Sophia DeJournett and Payton Lynch, who could both mix into the varsity rotation this season, and there is every reason for optimism at Notre Dame.
Last season, the Bulldogs were a match away from crowning their third straight District 1 championship before falling short in the finals against Saxony Lutheran.
Brinkmeyer believes that a selfless mindset is the key for this team to climb back on top.
“The biggest thing is to just play together as a team, have good team chemistry, and to not worry about who's getting all the recognition,” Brinkmeyer said. “Just being happy that we won as a team because if our team chemistry is not there, it makes it hard to go far.”
There is a lot to focus on this fall, but Brinkmeyer believes that the main priority goes far beyond winning trophies and writing more history.
“I think the end goal, and all of my players would agree with this, is to have a season that is full of memories and just building friendships,” Brinkmeyer said. “I mean, yes, we want to win districts. We want to make it to state. That's just kind of icing on the cake. But I think for a lot of these girls, just having those memories that they can come back to and talk about ten years from now, and even tell their children down the road just how fun their high school experience was in volleyball season. That will make me just as happy.”
Notre Dame Bulldogs
Head coach: Meridith Brinkmeyer (8th season)
Assistant coaches: Alexana Gremaud (varsity assistant), Emily Thomas (JV coach), Andrea Burford (freshman coach)
2023-24 results: 24-7-3, Class 3 District 1 runner-up
Key losses: Aubrey Neumeyer (graduation), Kate and Brie Rubel (St. Vincent High School)
Key returners: Courtney Tatum (Sr.), Claudia Jones (Jr.), Kendyl Slinkard (Sr.), Lyla Martin (Sr.), Skylar Craft (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Olivia Cox (So.), Morgan LeGrand (So.), Sophia DeJournett (Fr.), Payton Lynch (Fr.)
Season opener: vs Farmington, Sept. 3
Match to watch: vs Saxony Lutheran, Oct. 10