Box Score
SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Notre Dame Falcons hosted their 2016 home opener at Murphy Gymnasium on Tuesday evening, and came away with a thrilling five set victory over John Carroll. 

The Falcons (3-3) have now won three matches in a row since opening the season on a three match losing skid, while the loss for the Blue Streaks (2-3) was their first on the road this season. 

It was a very tightly contested battle throughout, with both sides going on big runs to sway the momentum, and it all began with the first match, where the Falcons needed a little extra time to outlast the Blue Streaks, 28-26. 

John Carroll was able to answer in the second set, where they edged the Falcons, 25-23, and the Blue Streaks went up 2-1 in the match by taking the third set, 25-20. 

Much like they had three days prior to, at the Hall of Fame City Challenge, the Falcons battled back. They were able to even the score by winning the fourth set, 25-17, forcing a fifth set. 

The Falcons had control for most of the final set, which was also very tightly contested. The set was tied, 8-8, when the Falcons caught fire, and went on to score seven of the final 10 points to close out a 15-11 victory. 

Melissa Maczuzak and Natalie Spadaro led the charge for the Falcons offensively, with 18 kills each, and Maczuzak added 10 digs. Mary Kate McHugh added 16 kills to go along with 20 digs, while Morgan Toman added 10 kills and a pair of blocks. Paige Staudacher led the Falcons with 28 assists, and Tawny Flareau added 25. Ali Kaeberlein led the Falcons with 24 digs. 

The Falcons return to action on Saturay, Sept. 10, when head to Oberlin, Ohio to square off against Oberlin at 11 a.m., and LaRoche College at 1 p.m.