Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst Volleyball did not get their weekend started the way they had hoped with the team falling to the Rock at home in four sets.
How it Happened
The Lakers got off to a solid start with them jumping out to a 14-8 lead before Slippery Rock called a timeout in the opening set. Mercyhurst got out to a 5-1 lead before keeping their opponents at arm's length for the remainder of the canto. Alexa Mitchell proved to be big for the Lakers early on as she played a part in each of the first three points with a pair of aces and an assist. The Rock never allows things to get out of hand as they battled Mercyhurst the whole way, but were not quite able to come all the way back as the Lakers finished ahead 25-20 at the end of the first set.
The Rock came out as the aggressors in the second set with them able to cling to a slim lead all the way through. Slippery Rock took advantage of the opportunities the Lakers gave them with the Rock able to stay in front. Mercyhurst didn't ever allow their deficit to be large in the early going, but the Rock found their groove in the later stages of the stanza with Slippery Rock going on a 10-4 run to even things up a one apiece by a score of 25-19.
The third canto started out with the two teams playing each other very tight as the score held at 10-9 at one point. From that moment on, the Rock dominated with them outscoring Mercyhurst 15-3 the rest of the way to take the third set and grab a 2-1 lead in the match. The Lakers did not help themselves during the run of strong play by their opponent as they had 10 errors when the score was at 10-9 on their way to dropping the third set.
The Lakers ended up taking control of the fourth set to start things off as they staked them selves to a five-point lead after an ace by Alexa Mitchell made it 7-2. From that point on, though, Slippery Rock continued to battle back with them able to tie things up after a timeout at 14-14. The set remained close up until the very end as the two teams were separated by three or fewer points after the tie. Slippery Rock was able to gain an advantage at the very end of the canto with them scoring four of the last four points on their way to the win by a count of 25-22.
By the Numbers
The two teams were almost dead even in kills with Slippery Rock holding the slim advantage 41-40. The Lakers and the Rock ended up being even in assists with 36 while Mercyhurst held the advantage in hitting % at .112 to the Rock's .070. Paige Miller led the way in kills for Mercyhurst with 17 while Alexa Mitchell finished with the team lead in assists (21) and service aces (5).
What's Next
The Lakers have a quick turnaround as they are set to play again tomorrow. Mercyhurst hosts Cal (Pa.) in their final home match of the season with the Lakers set to honor their seniors before their 4:00 p.m. start.
