KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University women's volleyball team won a pair of matches on Saturday at a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover at the Keystone Arena, hosted by Kutztown University. The Lakers improved to 13-11 overall and to 8-5 in the conference. They won three of four matches in the two days after splitting a pair of matches on Friday at East Stroudsburg University.

Mercyhurst began Saturday with a 3-0 win over host, Kutztown. The scores were 25-16, 25-20, and 25-22.

Senior Erin Byrnes led the way with 15 points, including 13 kills and 13 digs. Junior Sarah Wegrzyn followed with 10.5 points and 10 kills while junior Lauren Kenny added eight kills and two block assists for a total of nine points. 

Senior Kelly Vitt had 30 assists, six digs, and two aces while junior Samantha Giardina led the way with 19 digs on defense.

The Lakers had more service aces (9-4), kills (42-31), and hit better (.248-.099) for the match. Sophomore Abby Rose had three of the nine service aces.

Kutztown dropped to 5-19 and 4-10.

Mercyhurst concluded its weekend activity by sweeping Cheyney University on Saturday afternoon – 25-13, 25-19, and 25-16. Junior Sarah Puckett led Mercyhurst with ten kills and a dozen points. Junior Hannah Tombaugh headed three players in double figures with 14 assists while also adding three aces and five digs. Sophomore Abby Rose got the start at libero, giving Giardina a rest, and led the squad with a dozen digs.

A pair of freshmen, Shelby Chesko and Larissa Cass, made their first collegiate starts against the Wolves. Chesko had seven kills and hit .545 for the match while Cass added five kills and six digs. Sophomore Freda Ireigbe also made her first career start and posted five kills in eight attempts for a .625 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Makayla Molle led the team with four service aces. Mercyhurst hit .295 for the match while the Wolves hit .041.

Cheyney saw its record fall to 1-19 and 0-13.

Mercyhurst will return to action next Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 when it entertains PSAC West rivals Clarion University (7:05 p.m.) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (4.05 p.m.) at the Athletic Center.