LEXINGTON, Ky. – Western Kentucky swept Notre Dame 25-16, 25-18, 25-23 on Friday night in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Volleyball Tournament at Memorial Coliseum.

Alyssa Cavanaugh led the offensive attack for the Lady Toppers with 18 kills, while Sydney Engle added 11 kills and 13 digs. Senior setter Jessica Lucas had 41 assists, six kills, four blocks assists and two digs in the win.

Western Kentucky (31-3) scored the first seven points of the match on its way to winning the first set 25-16. Cavanaugh and Rachel Anderson each had four kills in the set for the Lady Toppers, who hit .314 as a team in the first frame.

In the second set, Western Kentucky started quickly again, leading 4-1 early. But Notre Dame rallied to tie take a 9-8 lead by scoring five of the set’s next six points. But the lead wouldn’t last, as WKU went on a 7-0 run later in the set to take an 18-11 lead. The Lady Toppers would win the set 25-18 as Cavanaugh had seven kills.

The third set followed the same pattern early, with WKU winning the first four points of the set and building an early 9-3 lead. However, Notre Dame rallied late in the set, using a 14-5 run to cut the lead to 22-21. But WKU was able to close out the set, and the match, winning 25-23.

Notre Dame (22-10) was paced by Sydney Kuhn and Jemma Yeadon, who each had 11 kills.

Western Kentucky advances to Saturday’s second round, where they will face the winner of Friday’s second match between Kentucky and East Tennessee State.