SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Lake Erie Storm ended their seven game losing streak against the Notre Dame Falcons at Murphy Gymnasium on Tuesday evening, as the Storm handled the Falcons in five sets. (Box)

For the Falcons (1-9) the loss not only snapped their seven game winning streak against Lake Erie, but it also marked the first time that they lost their home opener, since 2006. Lake Erie (3-2) stole the victory by winning a see-saw battle in the fifth and final match, 15-11.

The Falcons were able to take an early lead, by winning the first set, 25-21. The first match was tied at 8-8, when the Falcons ran off five straight points to take the lead and never looked back. Lake Erie responded by taking the next two sets, 25-18, and 25-21. Lake Erie was up 11-4 early in the second match, but the Falcons ran off seven consecutive points to come within two. Lake Erie then outscored the Falcons 12-5 to take the match.

With their backs against the wall, Notre Dame gained an early advantage in the fourth set, and never trailed after going up 7-6, winning the fourth match 25-20. The two teams traded points early on in the fifth and final match, and the Falcons had a two-point edge, before Lake Erie scored the game's final four points to seal the victory.

“I thought Lake Erie played extremely well tonight”, said Head Coach #Mark Ridley#. “Our girls played hard, but we just weren't able to finish.”

#Kari Kincannon# paced the Falcons with 15 kills on the evening. #Jessica Suvak# chipped in with 11 and #Brianne Schmansky# added 10. #Cristin Brown# led the way for the Falcons defensively with 21 digs, and she added a pair of serving aces.

Tuesday's meeting was the eighth between the two teams, with the Falcons now having a 7-1 edge. Six of their seven wins against Lake Erie were 3-0 shutouts. The Falcons defeated the Storm twice last season.

Notre Dame is back in action this Friday, when they begin play in the Walsh Invitational, hosted by Walsh University. The Falcons will play a pair of matches on Friday afternoon, beginning with Shawnee State at 5:00 p.m., and they will square off against Trinity Christian at 7:30 p.m.