PAINSVILLE, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons lost two sets by two points on Tuesday evening, and for the second year in a row, were defeated by the Lake Erie Storm. (Box)

The Falcons (4-6) had won six matches in a row against Lake Erie (1-4), before dropping a 3-2 decision to the Storm last fall at Murphy Gymnasium. The victory for Lake Erie marked their first in five tries this season.

Notre Dame was poised to take the first set. The Falcons were ahead, 24-22, but the Storm responded by scoring the next four points, to take the opening set, 26-24.

The Falcons would never recover. Lake Erie was able to feed off of the momentum established at the end of the first set, and had control the entire way through the second set. The Storm had a commanding 9-3 lead early in the second set, and then ran off nine consecutive points to pull away, taking the second set, 25-10.

The third set was a little more like the first one. The two teams were tied at 14-14, when the Storm went on an 8-3 run to take a 22-17 advantage. Notre Dame would not go down easily. Lake Erie had a 23-19 lead, before the Falcons scored five points in a row to take a 24-23 lead, but Lake Erie was able to score four out of the set's next five points to win the match.

On the night, the Storm delivered 14 service aces, to Notre Dame's six, and the Storm out-hit the Falcons, .273 to .119.

Leading the way for NDC offensively were both Kari KINCANNON, who had a team best, nine kills on the night, and Chandler MASS who delivered a team high, 19 assists. Kincannon hit .294 on the night as well, while Natalie HOUDEK had five kills, and hit .500. Mass also paced Notre Dame defensively with seven digs.

The Falcons will be in action again next Tuesday, Sept. 20, when they play host to Mercyhurst (Pa.) at Murphy Gymnasium. The contest is set for 7 p.m.