ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University women's volleyball team arguably put together its best performance of the season on Friday night as it swept the visiting Vulcans of California (Pa.), 3-0, at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The Lakers evened their record at 8-8 overall and improved to 3-2 in the PSAC Western Division. California dropped to 6-9 overall but suffered its first loss of the season in conference action (4-1). Mercyhurst won by the scores of 25-20, 25-21, and 25-23.

In the opening game, Mercyhurst trailed by as many as three points on two separate occasions - the latest occurring when the Vulcans led 16-13. However, the Lakers rattled off eight of the next nine points to take a 21-17 lead and then held off the Vulcans from there.

The visitors came out firing in game two, jumping out to a 5-1 lead before the Lakers again responded. Then, with the game tied at 19-19, Mercyhurst scored six of the final eight points to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

Again, California got off to a quick start in game three and took a 9-4 advantage early. But, Mercyhurst showed its resiliency, outscoring the Vulcans 16-8 in the middle part of the game to take a 20-17 lead and force the visitors to call a timeout. The Vulcans would not go quietly after the timeout and eventually took a 23-22 lead before the Lakers, behind the serving of senior Erin Byrnes, scored the final three points to complete the sweep.

Byrnes led the Lakers with 13 kills, 15 digs, and two service aces to post a total of 15 points in the victory. The senior got plenty of help from juniors Sarah Wegrzyn and Lauren Kenny who each contributed 13.5 points. Wegrzyn hit .400 for the match, recording 12 kills and only two errors in 25 attempts. Kenny chipped in with 11 kills, four digs, three block assists, and a solo block in the victory.

Senior setter Kelly Vitt had a match-high 38 assists.

Ashley Leto led the Vulcans with 14 kills and 12 digs in the loss.

Mercyhurst will jump right back into action on Saturday afternoon when it hosts the Griffins of Seton Hill University at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Start time is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.