BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Mercyhurst University volleyball team dropped a pair of matches for the second consecutive day at the Ferris State Invitational to drop to 0-4 on the young season. In the opener on Saturday morning, the Lakers were swept by Missouri Western State, 25-23, 25-23, and 25-17 and then fell to Saginaw Valley State in five games - 20-25, 25-16, 25-20, 19-25, 15-5 - later in the afternoon.

In the opening game against the Griffons, Mercyhurst led 20-16 before Missouri Western State scored nine of the final twelve points to earn the two-point victory. The Griffons had some trouble putting away the Lakers in the second game but were able to hang on for their second consecutive two-point win. Trailing 24-20, Mercyhurst rattled off three straight points to close to within one and to force a Missouri Western timeout. But, after the timeout, the Griffons put the game away thanks to a kill from Lindsey Partridge. In the final game, Mercyhurst jumped out to a quick start and led 9-7 before the Griffons went on a 9-0 run midway through the game. The Lakers, unfortunately, were never able to recover.

Junior Lauren Kenny and senior Erin Byrnes had strong efforts against the Griffons, both posting a dozen points. Byrnes led the way with 12 kills and eight digs while Kenny posted 10 kills, four digs, and a solo block. Senior Lexi Stefanov chipped in with seven kills while senior Kelly Vitt had 30 assists and 10 digs.

In the nightcap, the Lakers were pitted against former Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rival, Saginaw Valley State.

The Cardinals led 9-6 early in game one before the Lakers scored 10 of the next 12 points to take a commanding 16-11 advantage. Saginaw Valley State pulled to within two points before Mercyhurst went on another mini-run to earn a five-point win in the opener. Saginaw Valley was able to even the match at one game apiece in the second game thanks to a 15-4 run after Mercyhurst jumped out to a 12-10 lead. Game three saw much of the same as Mercyhurst led 17-15 before the Cardinals scored 10 of the final 13 points to put them one game away from a victory.

Mercyhurst, however, would not go quietly, as it forced a fifth and deciding game after posting a 25-19 victory in game four. The Lakers were never in any danger, leading by as many as eight points, before settling for the six-point victory. Mercyhurst hit .318 in game four, posting 16 kills and only two errors in 44 attempts. Meanwhile, the Cardinals had eight attack errors in the fourth game.

But, game five did not go the Lakers way. After a 2-2 tie early, the Cardinals rattled off seven straight points to take a 9-2 lead and cruised to a 15-5 victory and the five-game win.

Kenny had a huge effort against Saginaw Valley, leading the way with 18 kills, seven digs, and two block assists for a team-high total of 20 points. Byrnes had 13 kills and 13 digs while Stefanov added nine kills and three block assists. Vitt had 43 assists and 16 digs while junior Samantha Giardina led the way with 30 digs.

Mercyhurst will look to get into the win column when it travels to Findlay, Ohio for the University of Findlay Invitational next Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12. The Lakers will play Hillsdale and Cedarville on Friday and then will square off against Ursuline and Findlay on Saturday.