VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova volleyball team lost the opening bout of the Catholic Challenge on Friday night, falling to Notre Dame in straight sets (17-25, 20-25, 17-25) at the Jake Nevin Field House.

It was a balanced offensive effort for Villanova (3-2), with Abby Harrell totaling eight kills and two service aces, Riley Homer contributing seven kills, Madeline Barber putting up six kills on just 11 swings and Kiera Booth adding a team-high three blocks with five terminations.

The Wildcats jumped out to an early advantage in the match to go up 7-0 with Harrell at the service line, but the Fighting Irish charged right back to lead by as much as 18-13. Notre Dame ended the opening frame on a 7-1 run to take a one set advantage.

ND maintained a narrow lead for the first part of the second stanza, but a 4-1 Villanova run gave VU its first edge of the period. The Irish proceeded to take five points in a row and kept that momentum the rest of the way, continuing to a 25-20 victory in the set.

Neither team could establish an advantage until midway through the third frame when Notre Dame used a 3-0 run to secure a 16-12 edge. From there, it was all Fighting Irish as ND moved to a 25-17 victory and a sweep of the match.

UP NEXT: The Wildcats will host Santa Clara in the finale of the Catholic Challenge, taking on the Broncos at 7 p.m. on Sunday night at the Jake Nevin Field House.