Box Score

ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst volleyball team swept West Virginia State Friday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The Lakers won by scores of 25-19,2 5-22, and 25-19. The match was part of this weekend's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)/Mountain East Conference (MEC) Crossover event.
 
Tai Lattimore got the home team going early, serving the first six points of the game. She assisted on a Kelsi Romatowski kill and then posted an ace. The Lakers maintained their edge until West Virginia State tied the game at 11. The Yellow Jackets took a brief one-point lead, but a Sarah Vick point evened the score at 12.
 
A pair of Camille Alvarez kills made it 17-15 Mercyhurst. Alvarez teamed up with Rachel Crittle for a block a few points later. A Lexi Stefanov kill and Alvarez ace put the Lakers ahead, 22-19. Kelly Vitt capped the first set with an assist to Vick.
 
In the second frame, WVSU took a 6-0 advantage. Mercyhurst battled back, as Samantha Giardina led a run of seven consecutive points. She served two aces and recorded a kill in the streak. Later in the game, points by Vick and Sarah Wegrzyn gave the hosts a 19-15 edge. Kills by Romatowski, Alvarez, and Abbie Pfeiffer allowed the Lakers to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Crittle had two aces early in the third game, putting the Lakers up, 8-3. Coach Ryan Patton used the lead as an opportunity to get experience for his younger players. Haley Adams and Erin Byrnes each had a pair of kills to help Mercyhurst complete a sweep of the Jackets.
 
Crittle totaled 12 points (five kills, four aces, six total blocks), while Alvarez had with nine points (seven kills, one ace, two total blocks). Lattimore dished out 13 assists, while Vitt recorded 12. Nicole Texido compiled 20 digs.
 
As a team, Mercyhurst hit .129 and WVSU hit .070 in the match.
 
The Lakers improved to 4-4 in 2013 and will return to play at the MAC tomorrow morning. They host Notre Dame College at 10 a.m.