CALIFORNIA, Pa. - For the second consecutive afternoon, the Mercyhurst University women's volleyball team suffered a hard-fought five-game loss, this time at the hands of the Vulcans of California (PA) on Saturday. The Lakers dropped to 14-14 overall and 9-8 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division. The Vulcans improved to 11-6 overall and 9-8 in league play.

Mercyhurst won the first game, 25-19, before losing the next two by the scores of 25-15 and 25-20. The Lakers bounced back with a 25-18 win in game four to force a fifth and deciding game. The fifth game was tied at 10-10 before California rattled off the final five points to clinch the victory.

Junior Sarah Wegrzyn led the Lakers with a double-double, posting a team-high 17 kills to go along with a dozen digs. She also had two block assists in the loss. Senior Erin Byrnes chipped in with 14 kills while freshman Shelby Chesko added seven kills and two block assists.

Senior Lexi Stefanov also posted a nice effort, adding six kills and a team-high four total blocks for 8.5 points.

Senior setter Kelly Vitt had 43 assists and 17 digs while junior libero Samantha Giardina had a match-high 28 digs in the setback.

The Lakers will host crosstown-rival Gannon University on Tuesday night, November 3, at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Start time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.