PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- On a break from their American Mideast Conference schedule, Notre Dame split a pair of matches in a Saturday tri-match hosted by Lake Erie College. The Falcons defeated the host Storm, 3-0, and then lost to Wheeling Jesuit (W. Va.) by the same score. (Boxes: NDC-LEC, NDC-WJU)

The pair of matches in Painesville comes in what is the midst of NDC's conference slate. The Falcons (12-11, 3-3 AMC) have thus far played half of their 12 scheduled AMC matches. Their league slate resumes on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

In their first match, Notre Dame beat Lake Erie by scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-18 for what is the Falcons' second shutout of the Storm (7-19) this season; NDC topped LEC, 3-0, in South Euclid on Sept. 2. With the loss, the Storm fell to 7-19 on the season.

In the nightcap, a quality WJU squad clipped the Falcons, 25-14, 25-20, 25-12. The Cardinals are now 19-5 on the season.

Over the two matches, the Falcons were led by junior #Katie Barbis# and freshman #Mandy Bastian#. Barbis had 18 kills and 19 digs over the six sets. Bastian added 15 kills and 20 digs. Senior setter #Kate Verhoff# had 52 assists and four service aces.

In their win over Lake Erie, NDC out-hit the Storm, .265 to .108, and the Falcons served up seven aces, their most in a match since Aug. 29. Barbis hit .360 in the opening match, while Bastian hit .375.

Against the Cardinals, NDC hit just .126 while WJU swatted .277. Aces again proved to be an important part of that match - the Cardinals slipped 16 serves past the Falcon defense.

Notre Dame will play at Northwestern Ohio in their next match, slated for Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. 


NOTES FROM THE NEST…

TWIN SPINS: Notre Dame has now played two matches in a single day six times this season. The Falcons are 4-8 in those 12 contests. … The Blue & White will host a tri-match of their own next Saturday, Oct. 17.

STORM TROOPERS: With Saturday's shutout, Notre Dame is now 8-0 all-time against Lake Erie and 5-0 in Painesville. … The Storm also lost to Wheeling Jesuit on Saturday. LEC has lost four straight matches and 16 of the last 17.