ERIE, Pa. -- Katie Baird had 21 kills and Alyssa Zirnheld totaled 16 as the Mercyhurst volleyball team was edged by West Chester, 3-2, in PSAC action on Friday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

Claire Kenny and Mary Marusza added 34 and 18 assists, respectively, for the Lakers, who lost by set scores of 25-22, 21-25, 26-24, 29-31, 15-12.

Hannah Vuylsteke finished with 15 digs and Alyssa Kling had five total blocks.

MU totaled eight aces, including three by Leah Kern.

Rachel Robb led the Golden Rams (14-0, 3-0) with 20 kills. Julia Vreewyk added 17 kills and Jillian Grammer totaled 55 assists.

Mercyhurst held a 20-19 lead in the first set before a late 6-2 charge by West Chester helped the visitors take a 1-0 match lead. MU fended off a late rally by the Rams in set two, tying the contest at 1-all.

During the third, the Lakers jumped out to an 8-2 lead and led later in the set, 19-13, before WCU closed with a 13-5 run to take a 2-1 match advantage.

Mercyhurst grabbed another large lead in the fourth, going up 9-2, and even held set point at 24-21 before West Chester rallied to tie the score at 24-24. The set saw ties at 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 after that -- Mercyhurst faced match point twice -- before the Lakers forced a fifth set.

WCU began the fifth set with a 4-1 streak. The Lakers evened the score at 8-all and saw their last tie at 9-9 before WCU finished off its win.

The Lakers (6-10, 1-2) will return to action on Saturday with a 2:05 p.m. home contest against PSAC opponent Millersville.