INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University came into Friday's contest in third place in the Mountain East Conference volleyball standings when they hosted Notre Dame College. The Falcons were unable to get out in front early against the Yellow Jackets, and fell 3-0.

Notre Dame worked their way back in the first set, after falling behind by four points. A 6-1 NDC run gave the Falcons an 8-6 advantage. However, the Yellow Jackets responded with 6-1 run of their own to retake the lead, which they not give away. The home team took the first set, 25-18.

WVSU grabbed an early lead and carried it throughout the second set, but the Falcons nearly completed a late comeback. Down 19-15, NDC came out of a timeout and cut the deficit to one point, 23-22, with a 7-4 run. During the run, Notre Dame's offense came to life, getting three kills from freshman Kaye Dregalla, two from senior Mary Kate McHugh and one from freshman Blaire Barr. But, West Virginia State called timeout and closed out the set, 25-22. Senior Paige Staudacher added 15 assists in the second set.

In the third set, West Virginia State held the lead after jumping out to a 2-0 advantage. Later in the set, a 10-1 run by the Yellow Jackets gave the home team a 20-9 lead. The Falcons did not go away and a 9-3 run pulled the visitors within five points, 23-18. During the run, McHugh single-handedly scored five straight points for Notre Dame. Once again, West Virginia State called a timeout and then came back on the court and won the set, 25-18.

McHugh led NDC with 13 kills, including seven in the third set. She also had five digs while Dregalla had 10 kills. Staudacher finished with 32 assists. Senior Alexandra Kaeberlein had 20 of Notre Dame's 59 digs.

West Virginia State had a hit percentage of .284, committing eight attack errors. Gabrielle Bullock led the team with 10 kills and was tied for the lead in digs with 12. Brianna Brandt recorded 22 assists. Gabrielle Thompson had nine kills with a hit percentage of .421. J'Lana Stone led both teams with five blocks.

The Falcons have a quick turnaround as they travel to the University of Charleston to play the Golden Eagles, tomorrow, at 2 p.m.