box score

Meagan Gambone assured her place in John Carroll history by becoming the first player in two years to register 1,000 career kills, but it was not enough as the Blue Streaks dropped their first home match of the 2008 season to the Notre Dame College Falcons by a score of 3-1 Wedneday night at the DeCarlo Varsity Center.

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Gambone entered the evening's proceedings needing just three kills to become the first Blue Streak to record 1,000 kills since Niki Csak reached the mark in the 2006 season.  Gambone threw down the decisive shot in the fourth set and finished with four kills for the match. 

The Blue Streaks entered the contest having not won a set against the Falcons since the 2006 season as Notre Dame swept both matches in straight sets in 2007. Undeterred by recent history and sparked by a large home crowd, the Streaks came out firing from the get-go, trading lengthy runs with the Falcons before delivering the final blow to take a 25-18 decision.

Notre Dame, however, buckled down in the second set, forcing several John Carroll miscues on a 6-2 run that put the Falcons ahead 18-14.  The Streaks would attempt a rally before dropping the second set, 25-20.  The Falcons took complete control in the third set, riding a 10-1 run over the final 11 points to secure a dominant 25-14 final advantage.

The Falcons controlled much of the fourth set as well. Trailing 23-15, the Streaks made one last dash to the finish before falling, 25-23, and droppingt he match.

Notre Dame (10-4) was paced by the trio of Katie Barbis (14 kills), Jessica Parks (12) and Katie Verhoff (12), who combined for 38 of the Falcons' 58 kills.

John Carroll (5-4) received 12 kills from freshman Kristen Kidd and ten from Laura Isbell. Emily Jackson had a match-high 14 digs.