Sept. 5, 2006

Stats

Erie, Pa. - In the sport of volleyball, three game sweeps aren't usually this evenly matched. Even though the Mercyhurst women's volleyball team went into the final moments of all three games against cross-town rival Gannon with an opportunity to win, the Lakers were unable to capitalize and came away with a 30-25, 30-27, 30-26 loss in the GLIAC opener for both teams Tuesday.

Game one was tied 23-23 before Gannon took seven of the final nine points, while Mercyhurst led 25-24 in game two before the Knights took six of the final eight points. Again, in game three, the score was tied 26-26 before Gannon closed with four consecutive points to finish off the match.

While Mercyhurst did show a balanced attack - four players finished with at least nine kills - Gannon was equal to the task. The Knights had four players with at least 10 kills and added 11 service aces, compared to seven for the Lakers.

Senior Megan Fargo had one of her best matches to date, posting a team-high 12 kills and adding four blocks. Jenna Matson ended with 10 kills and 15 digs, while Kristin Peterson had nine kills and 18 digs. Cara Nelson served four aces and had 15 digs as well.

The loss snaps a three-match win streak for Mercyhurst over Gannon, including a sweep of the season series a year ago. The Lakers, will, however have a chance at revenge when Mercyhurst hosts the Knights on October 13 at 7 p.m.

For now, though, Mercyhurst (5-4, 0-1 GLIAC) will need to stay focused on upcoming conference action. The Lakers will travel to Sault Ste. Marie, MI to battle Lake Superior State, a team Mercyhurst lost in five games to during the Mercyhurst Invitational three days ago, Friday at 7 p.m. The team will continue its tour through the upper reaches of Michigan by playing Northern Michigan Saturday at 5 p.m. and Michigan Tech Sunday at 2 p.m.