NORTH CANTON, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons entered Tuesday's contest with hopes of pulling off a big upset in the American Mideast Conference, but were handled on the road by one of the finest teams in the AMC, as they fell in three sets to Malone.

For the Falcons (1-22, 0-5), the loss leaves them searching for their first win in 14 matches, and marks their eighth consecutive loss away from Murphy Gymnasium. For the Pioneers (21-3, 5-1), the victory snapped a two game home losing streak, marked their sixth victory in their last seven matches, and improved their record at home to 12-2.

Notre Dame fell 25-18, 25-21, and 25-18. In their second match, they were able to produce a .333 attack percentage against the Pioneers, who are widely considered as one of the favorites to win the conference.

Individually, #Jessica Suvak#, #Natalie Houdek# and #Taylor Thomas# paced the Falcons with five kills on the evening. #Tayler Pugliese# led the Falcons with 21 assists on the night, while #Cristin Brown# led the Falcons with 16 digs. Pugliese also added 11 digs.

The Falcons are in action again on Monday, Oct. 11. The Falcons will host Central State in a non-conference tilt at Murphy Gymnasium. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

NOTES FROM THE NEST

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Tuesday's AMC tilt began a stretch for the Falcons where they will play five out of their next seven matches away from Murphy Gymnasium. Notre Dame's lone victory came away from College Road, as they are a combined 1-16 between road matches and matches played at neutral sites.

BLOCK PARTY: Natalie Houdek is Notre Dame's leader on the season with 49 total blocks, including 26 solos. Freshmen Taylor Thomas ranks second on the team with 45 total blocks and 18 solo efforts while Brianne Schmansky ranks third with 16 solos, and 31 total.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING: Senior #Cristin Brown# has registered double digit digs in 19 consecutive matches this season. Brown has yet to register less than 10 digs in a match this season.