Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Volleyball team is set for a pair of weekend games.  On Friday, they will host IUP at 6 PM, followed by traveling to Cal (Pa.) on Saturday for a match starting at 2 PM. 

History Lesson 

The Lakers have played both IUP and Cal (Pa.) already this year.  In the first matchup with IUP, the Lakers fell in three sets to the Crimson Hawks.  The Lakers beat Cal (Pa.) in five sets earlier in the season.  It was a match that saw Andrea Zaric have 16 kills, Kate Hennessy and Kaitlin Murphy each had 13 kills.  Alexa Mitchell finished with 48 assists.     

Flashback 

This past week, the Lakers lost to Edinboro in three sets, and lost to Gannon in three sets later in the week.  In the matchup with Edinboro, Kate Hennessy led the way for the Lakers with nine kills.  Alia Mastromatteo finished with three aces and twelve assists.  Maggie Thomas had five kills and three blocks.  Paige Miller and Andrea Zaric had eight digs each.  In the matchup with Gannon, Kaitlin Murphy led the Lakers in kills with eight, while adding a block.  Mevelyn Brazoban had three blocks, which led the team.  Alexa Mitchell finished with eight assists, and Kate Hennessy finished with eight digs.   

Stats Leaders 

Kills: Kate Hennessy (153), Andrea Zaric (131), Kaitlin Murphy (95) 

Blocks: Kaitlin Murphy (37), Mevelyn Brazoban (13), Maggie Thomas (13) 

Aces: Alexa Mitchell (21), Kate Hennessy (16), Andrea Zaric (14) 

Assists: Alexa Mitchell (367), Madalynn Ward (77), Alia Mastromatteo (26) 

Digs: Paige Miller (204), Kate Hennessy (125), Corinne Bechtold (113) 

A Look at the Opponents 

IUP is 16-7 this season and are currently on a three-game winning streak.  The Crimson Hawks are led by Nyla Birch who is the leader in kills with 256.  Kat Warpinski has tallied 546 assists so far this year, which leads the team by a wide margin.  Lauren Valentic leads the team in blocks with 121.  Cal (Pa.) is 6-10 this season.  The Vulcans are led by Elisa Rugiero who is the leader in kills with 185.  Rachael Simon has 419 assists so far this year.  Alayja Floyd leads the Vulcans in blocks with 74, which leads the team by a wide margin. 

Familiar Territory 

The Lakers are coming down the final stretch of their season, with five of their last eight games being at home.  The Lakers will look to finish the season strong, while playing in front of their home fans.