ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst volleyball team had their four-game win streak stopped on Wednesday by a 3-1 final to local rival Gannon University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center in front of a big crowd.  The Lady Knights won by set scores of 25-17, 25-22, 20-25, and 25-17.

Gannon got out to a quick start in the first when Ally Smith accounted for five of the opening seven points as the Knights jumped out to a 7-0 lead.  Katie Baird, Tess Ganich, and Claire Kenny put together a 7-3 push to trim the gap to 10-7.  However, the Lady Knights answered back scoring eight of the ensuing ten points on kills from Magge Greenfield, Lauren Sampson, Ashley McClung, Ashley Kerestes, and Valeria Torres allowing them to spring ahead 18-9.  Kills by Madison Kasper and Baird coupled with five visiting errors got the Lakers to within 23-16.  Unfortunately, a pair of home miscues finished off the frame 25-17.

The second began well for Mercyhurst with a combination block between Leah Kern and Baird staking them to a 5-2 edge.  The Lady Knights came roaring back as three different players joined together for a 7-1 run to seize the 9-6 advantage.  Scores by Alyssa Zirnheld, Anne Borah, Ganich, and Kasper helped the home side to recapture the 12-11 lead.  Gannon again put a sizeable run on the board with Smith, Kerestes, and Sampson accounting for points during the 8-3 charge to go ahead 19-15.  The Lakers fought back with Zoe Gadomski, Zirnheld, Kern and Baird leading the rally to even the score 22-22.  However, Smith and Kerestes recorded kills for the 25-22 win.

Mercyhurst opened the third strong as well as Baird, Borah, and Ganich put them in front 7-4.  Gannon scored five of the following eight with a block by Kerestes bringing them to within 10-9.  The Lakers built up a 13-10 edge, before Kerestes, Smith, and Sampson pulled the score level 13-13.  Five different Lakers helped the team sail ahead 21-16 using an 8-3 run.  An attack miscue by the Lakers brought the score to 24-20.  Then, Zirnheld gave the hosts life with the final kill of the set 25-20.  

In the fourth it was the Lady Knights who came out on fire with Toni Leitshuh, McClung, and Kerestes helping them to take an 8-3 advantage.  An ace off the hand of Sampson gave the guests a seven-point cushion 13-6.  Gannon would not let the Lakers back into the match as they maintained at least a six-point lead out to 19-13, before a McClung kill extended it to 21-13.  Mercyhurst attempted to rally back with three consecutive kills closing the margin to five 22-17.  Unfortunatley, an assisted block by Kristin Schorr and Ashley Beyers capped a 3-0 push to end the match 25-17.

Mercyhurst was led by 13 kills each from Baird and Zirnheld.  Hannah Vuylsteke and Beth Brady both put up double-digit digs with Vuylsteke totaling 24.  Kenny led the side in assists with 22.  

McClung (14) and Smith (12) led the offense for the Lady Knights.  Three players recorded double-digit digs, while Beyers posted a game-high 47 helpers.

The Lakers are back at it on Saturday, October 5th when they visit East Stroudsburg University for PSAC play.  First serve is set for 6:30pm.