ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College women's water polo teams opens its 2010 campaign this weekend at the Bison Invitational, hosted by Bucknell University at Kinney Natatorium. The Lakers will take on four Division I opponents at the three-day event, including host-institution Bucknell.

With 13 players returning from a team that made a late run to end the 2009 season, head coach Curtis Robinette has high expectations for his team at the Bison Invitational and throughout the season

“A lot of our players we started last season were freshmen and transfers,” said Robinette. “Once they got some games under their belts, they played great, especially in the second half. They're a talented bunch that should pick up right where they left off last year.”

Robinette's lineup this weekend should look a lot like 2009's, just with more experience.

Junior Rachel Griepsma returns after leading the team in scoring for a second-straight season. Despite playing in 19 games due to injury, Griepsma reeled off 48 goals and 54 points to earn All-CWPA and All-American honors after the season.

“Rachel definitely made the transition easier for the newcomers. Her drive to score made teams focus on her and opened up some of the other players.”

Junior Nicole Nelson and sophomore Laura Perez might have benefited from that with big numbers in their first seasons on the team.

Nelson, a transfer from Illinois State, ranked second on the team in goals (21) and placed fourth in points (37) while Perez, a true freshman last season, netted 38 points, caused 34 turnovers and drew 33 ejections.

“Laura was one of our best all-around players. Her play tremendously helped out on both offense and defense.”

The Lakers saw another newcomer step up on defense as well, as sophomore goaltender Hope Rozelle started 18 games as a first-year player.

“A lot was asked of Hope to start as a freshman in goal last season, but she learned so much from that experience.  We have a lot of confidence in her abilities and that confidence will allow us to be more creative on defense this year.”

After this weekend, the Lakers travel to Albany, N.Y., for the 2010 Siena Invitational, beginning on Saturday, March 6.