Erie, Pa. – Mercyhurst Women's Bowling prepares for postseason play as they travel to Long Island, N.Y. to participate in the ECC Championships, starting this Friday, March 24th with things set to come to an end the following day.

The Lakers are coming off of a successful regular season where they won four tournaments and placed second twice. The Lakers put together their strongest stretch of the season in February, winning a trio of tournaments in a row. Mercyhurst began collecting their trophies with the Griffen Baker Classic to open February while winning the Wildcat DII Invitational two weekends later before wrapping up their impressive run in the Medaille Brunswick Classic where they finished first of seven teams. The Lakers also placed third in last week's competition and hope to bring their winning momentum into the ECC Championships.

The Lakers have collected several East Coast Conference honors this season. Haley Youker claimed five Bowler of the Week awards, and Jenna Stretch received four Rookie of the Week honors, as she finished the regular season with another one for her performance at the Northeast Roundup. She also got two Bowler of the Week awards, and Nicole Lemponen and Samantha Strebel received one each.
 

In last year's conference tournament, the Lakers earned the three seed after Friday's qualifying round of five baker matches. Saturday marked the beginning of the championship bracket which pitted Mercyhurst against sixth-seeded Kutztown. The Golden Bears got the better of the Lakers in the best-of-seven series, advancing to the next round in seven games. Mercyhurst jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, however, Kutztown battled back and won the next four.

Mercyhurst was sent to the bottom half of the double-elimination bracket to try and keep their championship hopes alive against fifth-seed Caldwell. Once again the Lakers were bested, but this time in six games as the Cougars advanced and the Lakers were officially eliminated. They hope for an easier ride this time around, looking to play well and hear their name called during the NCAA selection show.
 

The Lakers are scheduled to play five baker matches on the first day of the tournament and go into the championship bracket on Saturday, March 25th.