Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Volleyball team traveled to crosstown rival Gannon for a primetime PSAC matchup. Gannon was able to take the match in three sets and take the first of two meetings between the two rivals.  

How it Happened 

Maggie Thomas got the scoring started for the Lakers on a kill that tied the first set up 1-1. After Gannon jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first set, Kaitlin Murphy tallied a kill to cut the deficit to two. Gannon extended their lead to 10-5, but Kaitlin Murphy notched her second kill of the set to cut into the lead. Maggie Thomas and Andrea Zaric each had kills during a stretch of play that saw Gannon pull away at the end of the first set. Gannon was able to take set one 25-15.  

After Gannon got the first point of the second set, Maggie Thomas and Mevelyn Brazonban combined for a block to tie it up at one. Gannon jumped out to a 4-3 lead, but Madalynn Ward came in to serve and found an opening for a service ace to tie it up at four. After a short run by Gannon, Kaitlin Murphy was able to find an opening for a kill to make the score 12-10 in favor of Gannon. Gannon then jumped out to an 18-11, before ending the set on a 7-1 run to take the set 25-12. 

Gannon jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead in set three before Kaitlin Murphy put an end to that with a kill. After some back-and-forth the score was 10-7 in favor of Gannon. Mevelyn Brazoban came into the set and immediately got a kill. Alia Mastromatteo came into the game to serve and notched a service ace. Mastromatteo kept the serve, and the Lakers were able to rattle off four points in a row and it was capped off by a Kate Hennessy kill. The Lakers now had the lead 13-10. Gannon was able to tie the set at 16. During that stretch Andrea Zaric had multiple kills that at the time kept the Lakers in the lead. Gannon took the lead 18-17, but Maggie Thomas tied it back up with a kill. Kaitlin Murphy gave the Lakers the lead back on a kill. The score was now 21-20. Gannon scored five of the next six points and took set three 25-22 and the match 3-0. 

Highlights 

Kaitlin Murphy led the Lakers in kills with eight, while Kate Hennessy and Andrea Zaric each added four.  

Kate Hennessy added eight digs to her stat line.  

Alexa Mitchell had eight assists, while Madalynn Ward added seven.  

Next Up 

The Lakers will return to action next Friday, October 20th as they host IUP at 6 PM.