WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – After playing less than 16 hours prior to their game on Saturday, Notre Dame College struggled in their morning contest against West Liberty University, losing 3-0.

The Falcons (7-10, 0-3 MEC) went 1-2 on their three game road trip. The Hilltoppers (10-8, 2-2) are 5-5 in their last five games with the win today and are 3-4 at home this season.

In the first set, Notre Dame had to come back after falling behind 5-2. Later in the set, West Liberty had three attack errors and Notre Dame's senior Melissa Maczuzak had a kill to finish a 4-0 run to tie the game at 15. The Falcons would not be able to tie the game again as WLU won the first set 25-21.

NDC really challenged the Hilltoppers late in the second set. Early on, it was all West Liberty after going on a 13-3 run to go up 19-8 in the set. However, a 10-2 run by the Falcons put Notre Dame back into striking distance, down by three points, 21-18. WLU would recover to down the Falcons, 25-20.

West Liberty seemed to have a lot of energy in the third set as they scored nine of the first 11 points. NDC found themselves down by 10 points, 17-7, when Caitlin Clark recorded a kill. The Hilltoppers continued to play well and beat the Falcons 25-12 to win the set and the match.

"We need to be more consistent, need to bring more energy, especially when we are on the road," said head coach Troy Haught. "We saw some strong points offensively and defensively, now we just need to carry that through a whole match."

For Notre Dame, Maczuzak had 12 kills and is now just eight kills away from breaking the NDC career record. She also had 14 points. Sophomore Mary Kate McHugh had 12 digs and 10 points, while sophomore Ali Kaeberlein recorded 23 digs. Sophomore Paige Staudacher added 25 assists.

West Liberty held a hit percentage of .284, as a team. Raimey Benson had 16 kills, a hit percentage of .387 and 18 points. Kailee Cunningham recorded 17 digs and Clark had 12 kills, 11 digs and 16 points.

The Falcons will come home to play Shepherd University in the Murphy Gymnasium, on October 6. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.