FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Fairmont State volleyball knocked off Notre Dame College in a five-set thriller on Saturday during senior day at Joe Retton Arena. The Falcons held a 17-6 advantage in blocks during the victory.
 
Fairmont State grabbed an early 1-0 lead after winning the first set 25-18 on Saturday afternoon. However, Notre Dame responded and grabbed a 2-1 advantage after winning set two 25-18 and set three 25-23. Fairmont responded in set four and grabbed a 25-18 victory, before wrapping up the match with a 15-12 win in the decisive fifth set.
 
Fairmont State had a .476 hitting percentage in the fifth set, recording 11 kills compared to just one error.
 
Fairmont State had three players reached double-figures in the victory, led by Julia DiPaola with 17 kills and 26 digs. The Falcons also got 14 kills and nine total blocks from Rebecca Feeney, and 11 kills and three block assists from Keara Lewis.
 
Taylor Wisniewski also recorded eight total blocks for the Falcons, and senior Emma Mobley tallied six block assists to go with nine kills.
 
In addition to DiPaola's 26 digs, the Falcons also got a team-high 29 digs from Bryce Knapp, 22 digs from Lily Keber, 15 digs from Madison Chapman, and 13 digs from Emily Suppel. Keber passed out a team-high 51 assists for the Falcons.
 
Notre Dame got 17 kills apiece from Mary Kate McHugh and Katie Richardson.
 
The Falcons have clinched a spot in next week's MEC Tournament and will return to action in the quarterfinal round of Thursday. Seedings and game times will be announced by the league office on Sunday.