Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Volleyball team travels south for a pair of games this weekend. They will start on Friday at Cal (PA) and play again on Saturday at Slippery Rock. 
 
1. Switch Directions
The Lakers are looking to pick up their first conference win of the season after dropping their first four. Mercyhurst's weekend opponents have notched their first conference victories with each defeating Pitt-Johnstown and Slippery Rock picking up a second PSAC West win against IUP.
 
2. Not Afraid to Travel
Last season, the Lakers split a pair of games against both the Vulcans and The Rock. Both victories came on the opposing team's court. The Lakers are looking to keep up that tradition as they take off on their weekend road trip. 
 
3. Aces and Assists
The Lakers have recorded 85 services aces this season with the most coming from freshman Kaitlyn Murphy who has posted 20. They are average 1.85 per set putting them off of the PSAC leader IUP by less than one. Senior Alexa Mitchell has set up Laker hitters most often this season recording 200 assists in 44 sets played. Isa McCaffery sits just behind Mitchell with 119. 
 
4. Scouting the Opposition
Cal comes into the match with a 7-6 overall record and has gone 1-3 in conference play. The Vulcan are led by senior Kaylin Burkey who has been a force for the Vulcan since her freshman year. This season she has 108 kills to lead her team. The Rock has a 2-2 conference record and a 6-10 overall record. 
 
5. What's Next?
After their weekend on the road, the Lakers return to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center to take on IUP and Pitt-Johnstown on Oct. 7 and 8.