It was an intense atmosphere last night down in Talafofo as the Notre Dame Royals hosted their rivals from Academy in front of a packed house. The Royals defeated the Cougars in 3 sets to solidify their status as the league's 1st place team. Academy started the game on a good note, taking a 3pt lead off kills from Alyssa Mafnas and Sophia Taitano, but the Royals Simi Wilter had her own agenda, slamming down the house, keeping the game at close distance.

With the game tied at 14-14 apiece, the Royals Mary Gillian and Simi Wilter took matters into their own hands, coming up with big kills helping their team take the 25-18 1st set win. In the 2nd set, The Cougars wasted no time, capitalizing on the Royals errors, giving them a 5pt lead.

They used their momentum throughout the set, stopping a Royal comeback and eventually taking the 2nd set 25-19. In the final set of the night, both teams fought desperately as the action went back and forth, but errors off the Cougars was all the Royals needed as they went on to take the 25-20 3rd set victory. With the win the Royals now stand in the number 1 spot in the league.