ERIE, Pa. - Under the guidance of new head coach Brooklyn Kohlheim the Mercyhurst women's basketball team will begin the 2019-2020 campaign by participating in the Mountain East Conference/Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference challenge hosted by West Liberty University with a pair of games.  First on Friday, they take on the host Hilltoppers at 5:30 pm, before tipping off against the University of Charleston on Saturday. 

Scouting the Lakers:
Mercyhurst returns ten players, among the returners are five members that started over half of the games for the squad that went 10-18 overall and 7-14 in conference.  Seniors Nicolete Newman and Lauren Lapertosa accounted for 16 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 2.9 apg last year and will be looked upon to be leaders on and off the floor.  Emily Shopene and Meghan Komendarek will seek to grow on their numbers from the previous season that saw Shopene score 8.7 ppg, while Komendarek added 5.5 ppg and ripped down 3.5 rebounds.  Sophomore Jenna Kunst completes the five returning starters scoring 5.5 ppg and just over three boards per game.  Amber Renz was also one of the top scorers for Mercyhurst in 2018-19 totaling over 11 points per contest.  Newcomers Emma McDermott, Jillian Spano, and Gillian Fisher will want to provide immediate impact to earn spots in the rotation.   

LAKERS at West Liberty
Date - Friday, November 8
Time - 5:30 pm
Location - West Liberty, W.Va. (Academic Sports and Recreation Complex)
Media - Stats  /  Video
Series History - Hilltoppers lead 4-1 (WLU won last meeting 86-74 on 11/11/18)
Scouting the Hilltoppers - West Liberty was picked fourth in the MEC preseason poll.  They will have a different look this season after losing their two-time All-American Marissa Brown.  All-Conference performer Taylor Johnson brings her 16.4 ppg back to team, coupled with Morgan Brunner who netted 15 ppg.  As a team they scored 85.1 per game holding the competition to 79.3.  The Hilltoppers shot 47% from the floor and 74.1% at the line.  Coach Kyle Cooper heads into his third year leading West Liberty.

LAKERS vs. Charleston
Date - Saturday, November 9
Time - 3:30 pm
Location - West Liberty, W.Va. (Academic Sports and Recreation Complex)
Media - Stats  /  Video
Series History -  Golden Eagles leads 1-0 (UC won last meeting 89-58 on 11/10/18)
Scouting the Golden Eagles -  Charleston enters the weekend picked second in the MEC preseason poll and earned one first-place vote.  They bring back a pair of all-conference performers in Anna Hayton and Brooklyn Pannell who combined for 19 points and a dozen rebounds in their 67-52 season opening loss against Division I University of Cincinnati last week.  Rookie Dakota Reeves buried five triples and picked up a free throw to total 16 points.  Head coach Becky Burke begins her second season at the helm of Charleston.     

PSAC Preseason Poll Western Division:
1) IUP - five first place votes 
2) Cal U - two first place votes 
3) Edinboro - one first place vote 
4) Pitt-Johnstown
5) Seton Hill - one first place vote
6) Gannon
7) Slippery Rock
8) Mercyhurst
9) Clarion

Waiting in the Water:
Mercyhurst returns to action on Saturday, November 16th when they host the Falcons of Notre Dame College of Ohio in non-conference play for the Home Opener.