Irish No. 1 in Norfolk Regional

Irish Insights

Irish reach Big East baseball tourney semifinals

Notre Dame earned a spot in the Big East tournament semifinals and a day of rest with a 5-3 victory over Pittsburgh (41-16) on Thursday in Clearwater, Fla.Thursday

Video: Mike Elston on playing ACC opponents

Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston talks about the new challenges the team will face by playing five Atlantic Coast Conference teams every year, starting in 2014.Wednesday

Video: Mike Elston on Tony Springmann

Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston talks about former Bishop Dwenger standout and current Irish defensive lineman Tony Springmann, and the value Springmann has by being a versatile lineman.Tuesday

SOUTH BEND – There wasn't much mystery for Notre Dame's fate in the NCAA women's tournament.

The Irish (31-1) were all but guaranteed the No. 1 seed they received Monday night. They were just waiting to find out who and where they would play, as Notre Dame tries to return to the championship game for a third straight year.

The Irish ended up matched against No. 16 seed UT Martin (19-14) in the Norfolk Regional. Notre Dame will begin play in the tournament at 5:05 p.m. Sunday in Iowa City, Iowa.

Notre Dame hasn't lost since falling to No. 1 overall seeded Baylor 73-61 at home Dec. 5. The Irish's winning streak is at 26 games.

Notre Dame enters the NCAA tournament coming off the program's first Big East tournament championship. The regular-season champion Irish defeated Connecticut 61-58 last Tuesday.

The Irish have reached the Final Four in each of the last two seasons, but they have lost in the title game each year.

Notre Dame fell to Texas A&M in 2011 and to Baylor last season.

For more on the Irish in the NCAA tournament, read Tuesday's Journal Gazette or return to www.journalgazette.net after 3 a.m.