ERIE, Pa. --The Notre Dame Falcons were unable to snap a five match losing streak on Tuesday night, as they fell to Mercyhurst in four sets, 25-7, 25-20, 20-25, and 25-17. (Box)

For the Falcons (1-14), the loss sends them into conference play on a six match losing skid. For the Lakers (7-2), the victory was their fourth in a row. The Lakers haven't lost since Sept. 4, and coincidentally, the Falcons haven't won since Sept. 4.

In the first match, the Lakers handled the Falcons very easily, in a 25-7 rout. The Lakers used a .409 attack percentage in the first match to take the edge, and followed that with a .471 attack percentage in the second match in a 25-20 victory. Notre Dame followed by winning their first set in 15 tries, with a 25-20 victory to force a fourth set. Mercyhurst took the final set 25-17.

No Falcons were able to register double digit kills, but #Brianne Schmansky# led with way with nine, while #Jessica Suvak#, #Taylor Thomas# and #Natalie Houdek# all finished with six a piece. Senior #Cristin Brown# once again led the way for Notre Dame defensively with 18 digs, while #Lauren Turner# finished the match with 10.

Though the two schools are only separated by 95 miles, Tuesday's meeting was the first all time between the two institutions. The Lakers are one of five opponents that the Falcons will face from the Keystone State this season.

The Falcons are in action again next Tuesday, Sept. 21, when they begin American Mideast Conference play against Walsh. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

NOTES FROM THE NEST

HOME COOKIN': After next Tuesday's game against Walsh in Canton, Ohio, the Falcons will return home to play three consecutive home matches against Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.), Houghton (N.Y.) and Point Park (Pa.).

AMC ACTION: The Falcons will play their first conference match next Tuesday against Walsh. Last year, the Falcons went 5-7 in conference play. NDC is 24-27 in the AMC over their last three seasons.

DOUBLE DIGIT DIGS: Senior #Cristin Brown# has registered double digit digs in 11 consecutive matches this season. Brown has yet to register less than 10 digs in a match in 2010.