Box Score BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Notre Dame Falcons put forth an incredible effort on Thursday evening, but fell in a closely contested, five set battle to Geneva in the 2016 season opener. 

The Falcons (1-0) were able to score victories in the second and fourth sets, before they ultimately fell to Geneva (1-0), 15-12 in the fifth and final set. 

Notre Dame fell behind early in the opening set, and trailed until they went on a 5-0 run to take a 13-10 advantage. However, the Golden Tornadoes would score seven of the next eight points to regain the lead and they went on to win the set, 25-17. 

In the second set, Notre Dame scored six of the first seven points to establish a big early lead, and they went on to win the set, 25-22. 

The third set went to Geneva, 25-23, and Notre Dame answered with a tightly contested, 25-23 victory of their own in the fourth set. 

In the final set, Notre Dame took an early 5-2 advantage, and at one point led 10-8, before Geneva caught fire, and scored four straight points to take the lead. They went on to win the set, 15-12. 

Mary Kate McHugh led the Falcons with 22 kills on the night and added 24 digs. Melissa Maczuzak added 11 kills and 21 digs, while Natalie Spadaro contributed 13 kills with a pair of block assists. Tawny Flareau added 49 assist and 21 digs, while Morgan Toman had 20 digs and Ali Kaeberlein had 18. 

The Falcons return to action on Friday, Sept. 2, when they play Malone and Mercyhurst at the Malone Tournament in North Canton, Ohio. They'll square off against Malone at 10 a.m. and they'll face Mercyhurst at 5:30 pm.