KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst volleyball team opened PSAC play with a 3-0 win over Kutztown on Friday. The Lakers claimed the victory with set scores of 25-22, 25-21, 25-21.

Katie Baird led the MU attack with 12 kills and Alyssa Zirnheld put down 10 kills. Mary Marusza added 21 assists, Claire Kenny dished 11 assists and Hannah Vuylsteke made 12 digs.

Kutztown claimed the first four points in the opening set and held a 10-8 lead before the Lakers went on a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the match. Leah Kern had two aces and Kenny handled three assists during that run. With the set tied at 21-all, the Lakers pulled away with a 4-1 run. Baird had the final four kills of the frame, getting three assists in the process from Kenny.

In the second, Mercyhurst faced a 10-7 deficit before Alyssa Kling and Marusza led it on a 7-1 stretch. Kling had three kills and Marusza made two assists during the run. KU pulled back ahead to take a 21-19 advantage before the Lakers closed the set with a 6-0 run, getting two aces from Zoe Gadomski during the run.

Mercyhurst closed out the victory in the third, breaking a 17-17 knot with a 8-4 stretch as Shelby Chesko provided the match-clinching kill.

Holly Owen led the host Bears (6-4, 0-1) with 11 kills and Sydney Wilson totaled 23 digs.

The Lakers (6-8, 1-0) will play again on Saturday when they visit East Stroudsburg for a 12 p.m. matchup.