Box Score
SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Notre Dame Falcons hosted their Mountain East Conference opener on Tuesday evening at Murphy Gymnasium, and came away with a  four set victory over the West Liberty Hilltoppers. 

The Falcons (8-6, 1-0 MEC) have now won three in a row, marking their second longest winning streak of the season, while the loss for West Liberty (8-7, 0-2 MEC) was their fifth in their last six overall. 

Notre Dame was red hot right off the bat. They scored the first three points of the opening set to take control, and they never trailed, while taking the opening set, 25-15. 

West Liberty returned the favor with a hot start in the second set where they scored the first four points. Notre Dame battled back and eventually took a 13-12 lead. The set was tied 20-20, when the Hilltoppers scored five straight points to take the set, 25-20. 

The third set saw the Falcons score the first three points again, but they really pulled away with Melissa Maczuzak serving, up 5-3, and they then ran off eight consecutive points to take a 13-3 advantage, eventually winning the set, 25-21. 

In the early stages of the fourth set, neither side was able to take a decisive advantage, until the Falcons caught fire again, halfway through the set. NDC had a 9-8 lead, before scoring eight of the next 10 points to go up 17-10, and they won the final set, 25-13. 

Maczuzak had another big day for Notre Dame, leading the way with 20 kills and 14 digs. Mary Kate McHugh wasn't far behind with 14 kills and 14 digs. Tawny Flareau led the Falcons with 24 assists and added 10 digs, while Ali Kaeberlein had a dozen digs on the night and Morgan Toman contributed seven kills to go along with three service aces. 

The Falcons return to action on Friday, Sept. 23, when they play host to the 2015 D-II National Champs, Wheeling Jesuit. The contest is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at Murphy Gymnasium.