ERIE, PA — The National Tenpin Coaches Association has released their preseason poll for national rankings, as well as Division II and III rankings. The Lakers broke into the national rankings coming in at the #16 spot and make top 5 for D II and D III rankings, at #5.

These rankings come at no surprise after Mercyhurst came off of their best season ever, highlighted by winning their first ever conference title. The team ended their campaign last year ranked at #14 and #4 respectively. The slightly lower ranking to begin the season could be impacted by the departure of one of the teams top bowlers last season, Haley Youker.

Youker was a graduate student last year and put together a historic season, winning ECC bowler of the week five times and bowling the first ever 300 game in Mercyhurst history.  Despite missing Youker this years group of bowlers is still packed with immense talent, with Samantha Strebel at the forefront.

Strebel took home ECC preseason Bowler of the Year already and has made all conference honors the past two seasons; she completed the most frames on the team last year while averaging over 19 pins per frame.

Sophomore Nicole Lampeon also returns to the team, being the only other bowler to have an average above 18 pins per frame in both solo and team play. Lampeon picked up an ECC bowler of the week honor last season as well.

Head coach, and 2022-23 ECC coach of the year, Michael Machuga is set to get his team and fifth season with Mercyhurst underway on Saturday, October 7th. The Lakers will host the Mercyhurst Invitational at Rolling Meadow Lanes in Erie, Pa.