Box Score

ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst volleyball team clinched a conference tournament spot despite losing, 3-1, at Gannon Friday night. The Lady Knights won by scores of 25-14, 25-27, 25-12, and 25-20 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division match. The loss snapped the Lakers' 11-match winning streak. However, losses by Slippery Rock and Indiana (Pa.) Friday night secured a PSAC Tournament berth for Mercyhurst.

Mercyhurst is 11-6 in league, while Slippery Rock and IUP dropped to 7-9 in the PSAC. With just three conference matches remaining, the Lakers have assured themselves of postseason action for the first time since 2009. Coach Ryan Patton's squad has not made it to the PSAC playoffs since 2008.

The first game was even at 13 until Gannon pulled away to take a 1-0 match edge. In the second game, the teams traded points, eventually reaching a tie at 17. Kills by Camille Alvarez and Becky Leusch put the Lakers on top, but GU bounced back to even the score at 24. The hosts went up 25-24, but two Knight errors made it set point for Mercyhurst. Amanda Balasko finished off the game with a kill to tie the contest.

Gannon played a strong third frame to go up 2-1 in the match, but the Lakers fought back again in the fourth set. A Kiera Rebert kill gave Mercyhurst a 17-16 advantage, but Gannon responded with a run to take control of the game, eventually winning by five.

Alvarez led the Lakers with nine kills and 13 digs. Leusch added eight kills, while Rebert had 18 assists. Kelly Vitt totaled 12 assists and 11 digs, while Elyse Texido grabbed 10 digs. Lauren Sazama led the Knights with 20 kills and 18 digs. 

Mercyhurst dropped to 24-7 overall and 11-6 in the PSAC. GU is now 22-4 and 14-2 in the league. The Lakers host #18 Wheeling Jesuit Saturday at 7:05 p.m.