ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst volleyball team will travel to Louisville, Kentucky, for the Bellarmine Volleyball Classic this weekend. The Lakers will face Salem International on Friday, September 5, at 4:30 p.m. in the 2014 season opener. The next day, they take on Bellarmine at 12:30 p.m. and then Anderson (SC) at 5 p.m.
 
Live stats for every match will be available at http://www/sidearmstats.com/bellarmine/wvball.
 
Mercyhurst won 18 matches in 2013, nearly qualifying for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament. Lexi Stefanov returns after earning All-PSAC Western Division Second Team recognition. She led the team with 273 kills last year. Rachel Crittle, now a senior, paced the Lakers with 371 points, 42 aces, and 106 total blocks. The Lakers were voted to place fifth in the PSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Salem International will make its return to Division II this weekend after taking the last six years off. The Tigers were picked to finish eighth in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Bellarmine went 15-14 last season. The Knights advanced to the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Tournament under first-year head coach Jenni Grzebin. Jaclyn Ohlmann was chosen GLVC Libero of the Year last season. BU was voted to take fourth in the GLVC East Division Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Anderson posted a 19-15 record in 2013, making the NCAA Tournament after a run to the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Tournament Finals. The Trojans were picked to place fourth in the SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Shannon Gillespie was named All-SAC First Team last year.