TIFFIN, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons dropped a trio of close sets on Tuesday evening at Tiffin, in a 3-0 loss against the Dragons.  (Box)

The Falcons (2-7) saw their two match winning streak come to an end, while the victory for the Dragons (4-2) was their fourth in a row after beginning the year 0-2.   

NDC had the lead in the second and third sets, but could not hang on in either one, as the Dragons won, 25-21, 25-23 and 25-23.  

Notre Dame dropped the first set to the Dragons, 25-21.  They never had the lead in the opening set, though they remained very close, and found themselves tied, 5-5, before the Dragons went on a 6-2 run, and never looked back.

NDC was in control late in the second stanza, until the Dragons came storming back to take a 2-0 advantage.  The Falcons were ahead, 20-17, until Tiffin went on a tear and scored eight out of the final 10 points in the set.

The Dragons had to rally again, battling from behind to take the third set.  Notre Dame was ahead, 16-13, when the Dragons went on a 9-2 run, to take a 22-18 lead.  The Falcons scored the next three points, but could not get back in front of the Dragons, who took the final set, 25-23.  

The Falcons were led by senior Brianne Schmansky, who had 10 kills on the night, giving her a team best, 87 on the season.  NDC freshman Angela Bush had seven kills on the evening, while Suzanne Morris delivered six. 

Sophomore Chandler Mass had 28 assists to go along with eight digs.  Kelsey Swords paced the Falcons in the contest with 20 digs, while Magenta Tygret added 13 and Erica Crawford contributed with 14.  Junior Taylor Thomas was responsible for eight NDC points, delivering three solo blocks and five kills. 

The Falcons are back in action again on Sunday, Sept. 16, when they host a tri-match against LeMoyne (N.Y.) and Edinboro (Pa.), which will also serve as their home opener.  NDC faces LeMoyne at 11 a.m. and Edinboro at 3 p.m.