ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst volleyball team plays two key regional matches this weekend, traveling to Gannon and hosting #18 Wheeling Jesuit. The Lakers have won 11 straight outings going into this weekend.
 
Coach Ryan Patton's group heads to local rival Gannon Friday, November 2, at 7 p.m. Live stats will be available at http://www.gannon.edu/athletics/women/volleyba/lstats/XLIVE.HTM. A live America ONE broadcast will be available at http://www.americaonesports.com/partner_members.asp?id=85.
 
The Lakers host eighteenth-ranked Wheeling Jesuit Saturday, November 3, at 7:05 p.m. Live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/hurst/wvball/scoreboard.aspx. A live America ONE broadcast will be available at http://www.americaonesports.com/partner_members.asp?id=16.
 
Mercyhurst has a 24-6 record, including an 11-5 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The Lakers have won their last 11 matches, including a 3-1 win over Edinboro on October 30. They are ranked seventh in the initial NCAA Atlantic Region rankings, released Wednesday. The top eight teams from the rankings at the end of the regular season qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
 
Gannon is 21-4 overall and 13-2 in league action. The Lady Knights have won five in a row since being swept at Mercyhurst October 9. GU is tabbed third in the Atlantic Region rankings this week.
 
Wheeling Jesuit sports a 28-2 overall mark, with a 12-0 record in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). The Cardinals have won 11 consecutive matches, with eight of those victories coming via sweep. Wheeling is ranked second in the region, behind California (Pa.). Cal won at WJU in four games on October 2.
 
Elyse Texido paces the Lakers with 577 digs and 5.27 per game. The per game average ranks 23^rd in Division II. Becky Smith is 33^rd with 1.17 blocks per set. As a team, Mercyhurst is 22^nd in digs per game with 17.69.
 
Gannon is led by senior Lauren Sazama. She is second in the nation with 5.6 points per game, fourth with 4.72 kills per game and eighth with 0.62 aces per set. As a unit, the Knights are ninth nationally with a 0.265 hitting percentage.
 
The Cardinals have a more balanced attack, Allissa Ware has 329 kills and Jenna Pew has 323 to lead the team. Makenzie Ripley has totaled 470 digs in the back row.