Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst volleyball team swept a pair of matches at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover Saturday. The Lakers beat Cheyney and West Chester in straight sets at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
 
Mercyhurst controlled action in the early going against the Golden Rams. It won the first two games by scores of 25-10 and 25-20 to take a commanding lead. The third frame proved to be the day's most exciting, however.
 
The teams traded the first 20 points of the game, but West Chester took over, as Paige Thommes had two points to help the Rams go ahead, 23-19. Lexi Stefanov answered with a kill and then Rachel Crittle posted back-to-back points to tie the set at 23. After a Ram point, Sarah Vick evened the score again. Each team recorded an attack error next, making it 25-all.
 
A Crittle kill put the Rams on the brink, but the Lakers were unable to cash in. The frame reached a tie at 27 before Stefanov scored on an assist from Tai Lattimore. Out of substitutions, Mercyhurst sent Kelsi Romatowski back to serve. The senior from Findlay, Ohio, promptly dropped a walk-off ace to close the match in the Lakers' favor. It marked Romatowksi's first career ace on her first career serve.
 
Crittle led with 14.5 points (10 kills, two aces, four total blocks), while Stefanov posted 11 points (10 kills, two total blocks). Camille Alvarez added nine kills and 13 digs. Kelly Vitt dished out 22 assists.
 
In a sweep of Cheyney, the Lakers won, 25-10, 25-15, and 25-22. Sarah Puckett led with 14 points (12 kills, two aces), while Lauren Kenny added 9.5 (nine kills, one block). Coach Ryan Patton was able to all but empty his bench, as 12 players had at least one kill. Samantha Giardina had 16 digs and five aces in her first career start.
 
Mercyhurst improved to 9-5 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC. It will travel to Slippery Rock for the PSAC Western Division opener on Friday, October 4. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start.