(WSBT) Off to a dazzling 8-1 start, it's evident that the the Notre Dame women's basketball team isn't afraid to do the all-important "dirty-work."

Case in point is sophomore guard Ashley Barlow.

Barlow does a little bit of everything for Muffet McGraw's Irish. There might not be a more versatile player on a squad that looks to be going 10-deep into the roster.

Barlow shredded Purdue for a career-high 22 points in a Notre Dame road win. Nineteen of those points came in the second half alone.

"We've been playing pretty well. That's the thing about this team. If one person doesn't do it, other people step forward for us," commented Barlow, from Indianapolis Pike High School.

Barlow also deserves the ultimate compliment as far as giving maximum effort. She often goes "low," as in to the lowest level of the court. Nobody is more willing to hit-the-deck than the sophomore guard.

"I'm always trying to go hard — diving for balls. That's what I'll do," Barlow said.

Coach Muffet McGraw couldn't agree more.

"She just loves the contact. She comes back for more. She's such a special player because she always gives her all,” said McGraw.

Barlow often played with older boys, so going to the ground isn't a new concept. If there's a pile-up, you can bet that Barlow will be on the ground.

"My body aches, but I'm still going do it," she said.

"She leads the team in floor burns and contusions. That's why she's one of the crowd favorites," added McGraw.

And it's that people-pleasing kind of hustle that has Notre Dame thinking true of the old phrase: "No pain, no gain!"

"We're on an upward slope. I see nothing but good things in sight. I'll do whatever it takes," said Barlow.