SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons put up a good fight against the Walsh Cavaliers at Murphy Gymnasium on Tuesday evening, but fell to the Cavaliers in three sets. (Box)

The loss for the Falcons (8-13) gives them five in their last six matches, and was their third in arow.  The victory for Walsh (18-3) snaps a brief, two-game skid, and gives them 10 straight victories over the Falcons. 

The opening set was extremely close, with both teams exchanging big runs in a back and forth battle.  The Cavaliers scored six out of the first seven points in the first set, but the Falcons responded with a 7-1 run, and found themselves ahead, 8-7. 

Neither team was able to take a decisive advantage, until Walsh scored three straight points to snap a 19-19 tie.  The Cavaliers led, 24-20, before the Falcons scored four consecutive points to extend the match.  Walsh answered NDC's four straight points with two of their own to win the first set, 26-24.

The first half of the second set was just as tight as the first match, until the Cavaliers snapped a 13-13 tie, by going on a 6-0 run.  Walsh scored 12 of the final 14 points in the second set, in a convincing 25-13 victory.   

The final set was nearly identical to the second.  The lead changed hands several times throughout the final set, and the two teams were tied at 14-14, until the Cavaliers took over in the second half of the match.  Walsh went on an 11-3 run to end the contest, in a 25-17 victory. 

"I thought our girls played very hard tonight, against a very good team," said Head Coach Mark Ridley.  "There were times were we let up just a little, and Walsh took advantage. If we play like this the rest of the way, I think we're going to have a nice finish to the season."

NDC seniors Lauren TURNER and Kari KINCANNON paced the Falcons offensively with seven kills apiece, while Brianne SCHMANSKY turned in six.  Chandler MASS had 22 asists, while Turner and Kelsey SWORDS led the Notre Dame defense, with 19 and 13 kills respectively. 

The Falcons will be in action again on Friday, Oct. 21, when they head to Cedarville to battle the Lady Yellow Jackets. The contest is slated to begin at 7 p.m.