Box Score SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Notre Dame Falcons played three extremely close sets against the Shepherd Rams on Friday evening, but ultimately fell, 3-0 at home.
For the Falcons (1-12, 0-3 MEC) the loss was only their second at home, while the victory for the Rams (7-7, 2-0 MEC) was their second in a row, and second on the road overall.
Every set was very tightly contested, with both teams scoring in the 20's in every set, and every set was decided by three points or less.
The opening set saw the Falcons and Rams exchange modest runs, but the Rams had control in the middle of the match, with a 12-6 advantage, before NDC came storming back and tied the game at 13-13. Shepherd had a 24-22 lead, before Notre Dame scored back-to-back points to tie the game, but the Rams closed out with two straight points for a 26-24 win.
The second set offered more of the same. Notre Dame fell behind early again, as they trailed 16-10, before going on another run to make things interesting. The Falcons battled back, and eventually tied the game at 19-19. The set was tied, 24-24, just like the first set, before the Rams scored two in a row to win again, 26-24.
In the third set, neither side was ever able to establish a big lead. Neither team was able to build a lead larger than four. Shepherd had a 20-16 advantage late in the contest, and eventually pulled away, 25-22.
Melissa Maczuzak led the way for Notre Dame with nine kills on the night, while
Tawny Flareau had 11 assists, and added 10 digs.
Tawnia Almaraz paced the Falcons with 18 digs on the evening, while
Ashley Ohsiek had four blocks, including a pair of solos, and
Emily Ball had four block assists.
The Falcons are in action again on Saturday, Oct. 3, when they play host to Fairmont State in another MEC tilt at home. The contest is scheduled for 6 PM at Murphy Gymnasium.
