On Monday, the NDA girls’ volleyball team received a #4 seed in their region in the 2021 WIAA playoffs.

The Tritons will be in tough company with top teams in the state like Luxemburg-Casco, Xavier and Fox Valley Lutheran, but the focus is closing out the regular season.

Last Thursday, the Tritons celebrated Dig Pink night against Pulaski, raising awareness and proceeds for breast cancer research.

“As a team, I think it’s safe to say that we have a blast playing for a cause,” junior Katherine Sherman said. “Seeing all of the pink surrounding us motivates us to push even harder.”

Sherman, who came in as the libero for the second and third sets, finished tops on the night in digs with ten, as well as the team lead in aces with four. 

The Red Raiders got out to an early lead in the first set, and forced set point at 24-20. Still, the Tritons rallied with six consecutive points and stole the set.

“We push ourselves and each other on the court more than any team I have played with before,” Sherman said. “The main focus that ties us all together is keeping our energy up, trusting each other and eliminating our mistakes.”

The Tritons ended the night with a 3-0 sweep.

The team will move forward this week with a tough slate playing three matches, already having to put Tuesday’s loss to Sheboygan South behind them, as they head on the road to face Sheboygan North and Manitowoc Lincoln on Thursday and Friday.

The Tritons already have their first playoff match set, as they host #13 seed Chilton on October 19th at 7 p.m. at the Triton Center.

The team has high goals set out for themselves for the upcoming tournament, which will require them to be at their best level for the next three weeks.

When asked about goals for this postseason, Sherman said, “The easiest answer I can give would just be ‘to win.’ The priority is to leave everything we have on the court in order to finish the season off strong. Our goal is to play for each other.”

Notre Dame has been through many thrilling wins, including comebacks mounted against D.C. Everest and Southwest, as well as gut-wrenching losses, like the comebacks that fell short against Bay Port and Preble. 

Playoffs are always expected to be more of the same, and hopefully for the Tritons, there are many more thrilling wins to come en route to a gold ball at the Resch.