ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst volleyball team defeated Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference opponent Kutztown 3-1 on Saturday for its second consecutive win in two days. The Lakers claimed sets one (25-17), two (25-17), and four (26-24), leaving Kutztown to capture set three (25-21). With this win the Lakers move to a 9-15 overall record while rising to a 4-9 PSAC record.
 
Shelby Chesko led the Lakers with 14 kills, and one block assist. Alyssa Zirnheld followed close behind recording nine kills, one ace and eight digs. Leah Kern contributed 6 kills and four blocks, three of which were solo, she also led blocks. Makayla Mollé was the leading assister with 23, while Hannah Vuylsteke led digs with 19.
 
Jessica Howe led Kutztown with 12 kills, five digs and six blocks. Alli Henderson had 10 kills an ace, and 12 digs. Brittney Moyer and Holly Owen both contributed eight kills apiece.
 
The Lakers claimed set one 25-17, both Molle and Baird went on serving streaks early pushing the Lakers to an early 8-1 lead. The Lakers would continue to cement their lead throughout the set, the closest Kutztown would come to leading is when they would trail 23-17. Molle served 7 of the points Mercyhurst scored during the set.
 
Mercyhurst would also claim set two 25-17, the Lakers would never surrender the lead to Kutztown in this set, claiming the initial point. Kutztown knotted the action five time the last is when they forced a 9-9 deadlock. From this point on Mercyhurst scored 16 of the next 24 points to claim the set.
 
Despite offensive production from service streak from Kling and Molle, the Lakers fell in set three 21-25. The Lakers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on serves from Molle, Kutztown would storm back to grab a 10-6 lead over the next 13 points. Kutztown would lead the remainder of the set the closest Mercyhurst would come to take the lead again is when Kling served for four straight points, pushing the trailing Lakers to a 13-14 deficit.
 
The Lakers were able to secure the final set 26-24, after again jumping to an early lead on a three point service streak from Molle. Mercyhurst would turn the lead over to Kutztown to trail by as much as 10-15. The Lakers would make a comeback chipping at Kutztowns lead scoring seven of the next nine points to knot the action 17-17. Mercyhurst would then race out to a 24-20 lead, which they would hold onto to for the remained of the set.
 
The Lakers will play next on November 3^rd when they travel to take on Cheyney in PSAC action at 7:00 pm.