VIENNA, W.Va. – On Saturday afternoon, Notre Dame College split their double-header at the Ohio Valley Tri-Match. They defeated the University of Rio Grande, 3-0, and then lost to Ohio Valley University, 3-2.

In game one, Notre Dame (1-2) took on Rio Grande (0-2) and were able to jump out to a quick start. The Falcons put the first five points on the board with three kills by junior Mary Kate McHugh and two kills by junior Natalie Spadaro.

NDC went up by double digits for the first time after an attack error by Amaya Jones put the Falcons ahead of the Red Storm, 17-7. Notre Dame won the set 25-13.

In the second set, Rio Grande took their first lead of the match when they went ahead 2-0. However, the Falcons scored eight of the next 10 points. The Red Storm tied the game at 10, but then Notre Dame took off. A kill by junior Erin Daugherty capped a final 4-0 scoring run for NDC, giving them the set win, 25-15.

In the third set, Notre Dame completed the sweep, and wasted little time. The Falcons took a 12-1 lead to start the set, and during that run, McHugh added four kills.

After URG cut the deficit to nine points, 20-11, the Falcons scored five of the next six to take the set victory, 25-12.

In the match, the Falcons led the Red Storm in attack percentage throughout the three sets. They also led URG in total kills by 21 (41-20). McHugh had 19 kills and an attack percentage of 37.1-percent and Spadaro added six kills. Junior Alexandra Kaeberlein gave the Falcons 16 digs.

The Red Storm's leader in kills was Ashley Taylor with six and Macy Roell added 17 assists and 10 digs.

The host of the tournament, Ohio Valley (2-0) took on NDC in game two for both teams. The first set was extremely close and included seven ties. OVU's largest lead was six, 19-13, when they had a 6-0 run, including three kills by Nia Nix. The game was tied at 24, but OVU broke the tie, winning the next two points and the set, 26-24.

NDC had a very strong second set, putting together an attack percentage of 31.2-percent. They went ahead 10-2 early and continued going strong, leading by double digits for much of the set. The Falcons won 25-14.

In the third set, the Falcons jumped in front early with an 11-5 lead. This time, the Fighting Scots got themselves back into the game with a late 6-1 run and trailed 24-22. NDC would win the set with an error on the final serve. They led the match, 2-1.

OVU and NDC went back in forth in the next set, with multiple scoring runs on both sides. Late in the fourth set, Notre Dame came close to tying twice (23-22 and 24-23) but Ohio Valley was able to finish the job with a 25-23 win.

In the fifth set, the Fighting Scots took the lead and never gave it up for a 15-11 set victory and a 3-2 match win.

McHugh had 18 kills and freshman Katie Richardson had 12. Alexandra Kaeberlein had 33 digs, tied for third in a single match at NDC, while freshman Amelia Kaeberlein had 11. Junior Paige Staudacher added 43 assists.

Four players from Ohio Valley had double digit kills and Imani Ward put together an attack percentage of 52.2-percent. Four players gave the Fighting Scots double digit digs on defense.

"Overall it was a pretty good day," head coach Travis Hinkle said. "Against Rio Grande, we came out fast and never let off the gas pedal. Mary Kate McHugh had a great match offensively, and defensively the whole team stepped up. In the Ohio Valley match, we had two sets where we dominated, but unfortunately three sets where just couldn't finish. Ohio Valley is a tough environment to play in with a very high powered offense, and we battled with them. Seeing Paige (Staudacher) and Erin (Daugherty) combine for 10 aces behind the serving line was a big factor for us controlling the second and third sets."

NDC will play next in the Hall of Fame City Challenge in Canton, Ohio beginning August 31. They will play Malone University and Seton Hill University.