FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State's rally fell short on Tuesday evening, falling in five sets to California University of Pennsylvania at Joe Retton Arena.
 
California (PA) jumped out to a 2-0 lead by winning set one 25-18 and set two 25-16, forcing the Falcons to regroup in the third and deciding set. Fairmont State's Mackenzie Harrison recorded the final two points of set three for the Falcons, driving home a kill to make the score 25-24, before blocking Danielle Hayes' kill attempt during the next rally to wrap up the 26-24 win for the Falcons in set three.
 
In the fourth set, FSU once again faced an early 8-6 deficit before scoring 10 of the next 11 points, including nine-straight with Alexa Gore serving, to give the Falcons a commanding 16-9 advantage in the fourth set. Cal would go on a run of their own late in the set and close the FSU lead to 24-23 late before Rebecca Feeney drove home a kill to give the Falcons the 25-23 set four win, forcing a fifth set.
 
The fifth set proved to be all Cal, as the Vulcans jumped out to a 9-2 advantage and never looked back in a 15-7 set five win.
 
Harrison recorded a team-best 17 kills, 20 digs and eight total blocks in the match. Kayla Smith also reached double-figures with 13 kills, nine digs and six total blocks.
 
Megan Clerico once again led the Falcons defensively, recording 22 digs from her libero position. Five players recorded double-digit digs in the match, including Clerico, Harrison, Alexa Gore (16), Julia Shemaitis (14) and Sydney McCoy (13). Gore also tallied a career-best with 30 assists, recording her first ever double-double.
 
Hayes led Cal with 27 kills and 15 digs in the victory. Megan Litoborski also recorded a double-double from her setter position, tallying 53 assists and 20 digs. Bayleana Sowers recorded a team-high 25 digs for the Vulcans.
 
The teams combined for 28 blocks in the match, with FSU holding a 16-12 advantage.
 
The Falcons will remain at home for a conference match against Urbana on Friday evening starting at 7 p.m.