ERIE, Pa. – When crosstown-rivals Gannon and Mercyhurst get together in any sport, fans are usually treated to an action-packed, high-energy, and very close contest. The volleyball match between the two schools on Tuesday night at Gannon's Hammermill Center was a prime example.
On this night, it was the Golden Knights that were able to win a five-game thriller – 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 30-28, 17-15 – to snap the Lakers' modest three-match winning streak. Gannon improved to 13-3 overall and moved to 6-1 in the PSAC Western Division standings. Mercyhurst fell to 9-9 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
After losing the first game, 25-23, Mercyhurst battled back to win the next two games, 25-23 and 25-22, to take a two games to one lead. The Lakers had a number of opportunities to put the Golden Knights away in game four but could not do so.
In the fourth game, Mercyhurst led 23-18 and seemingly had things well in hand for a four-game victory. But, Gannon had other ideas, rattling off five straight points to tie the game at 23-23. The Lakers then had match point opportunities at 24-23, 25-24, and 26-25, but the Golden Knights were able to tie on all the occasions. Then, Gannon had game point opportunities at 27-26 and 28-27 but Mercyhurst was able to return the favor. The Golden Knights then earned two straight points at 28-28 to earn the 30-28 win and to force a fifth and deciding game.
The fifth game was more of the same as the teams went toe-to-toe. Gannon jumped out to a 3-0 lead but a well-timed timeout by Mercyhurst head coach
Ryan Patton settled the Lakers down. Mercyhurst battled back to win five of the next seven points to tie the game at 5-5. The teams would exchange points until Mercyhurst jumped in front 13-10 and, again, appeared to have things in hand.
Gannon fought back, winning the next two points before Mercyhurst won the next point to set up its fourth match point of the night at 14-12. However, the Golden Knights won the next three points to take a 15-14 lead and to put themselves in a match-point position. Mercyhurst would hold off Gannon's first opportunity, but, after Gannon scored again to make it 16-15, the Golden Knights put the Lakers away after a match-closing kill by Hannah Kren.
Junior
Sarah Wegrzyn led the Lakers with 17 kills and a .282 hitting percentage in the contest. The junior also had seven digs, a solo block, and two block assists. Senior
Erin Byrnes posted yet another double-double with 16 kills and 15 digs to go along with two aces and two block assists. It was her third consecutive double-double and her sixth of the season.
Senior
Lexi Stefanov chipped in with nine kills, two solo blocks, and four block assists. Senior
Kelly Vitt had 45 assists and 16 digs while junior libero
Samantha Giardina had a match-high 25 digs.
Kren had 16 kills and 13 digs to lead the Golden Knights.
The Lakers will return to action on Friday, October 9, when they travel to Slippery Rock for a 7:00 p.m. match. Mercyhurst will then square off against the Fighting Scots of Edinboro for a 7:00 p.m. match on Saturday, October 10.
