Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Volleyball team is set to open PSAC play this week as they travel to IUP on Tuesday, and then return home for a matchup with Cal (Pa.) on Saturday.
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History Lesson
The Lakers currently lead the all-time series against IUP 10-6. IUP is currently on a four-game winning streak against the Lakers which includes a season sweep a season ago. Cal (Pa.) currently leads the all-time series against the Lakers 14-5. Cal (Pa.) swept the season series a season ago and won three games in a row against the Lakers.
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Flashback
This past weekend the Lakers played Kutztown and Bloomsburg. In the first matchup against Kutztown, the Lakers were able to take the first set, but lost the next three. Kate Hennessy led the way for the Lakers with nine kills, and Asli Erdi added five. Alexa Mitchell had 21 assists, and Paige Miller had 14 digs. In the second matchup against Bloomsburg, the Lakers came away with the win in four sets. Andrea Zaric led the way for the Lakers with 14 kills, including three of the last four points for the Lakers to seal the win. Kate Hennessy was right behind with 13 kills. Alexa Mitchell had 38 assists. Alyssa Krause had four service aces. Paige Miller had 18 digs.
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Building off Success
The Lakers were able to find success in the second game against Bloomsburg. After dropping the first set, the Lakers were able to rattle off three straight wins and take the match 3-1. A common theme throughout the match was a dig by Paige Miller, a set by Alexa Mitchell, and a kill by Kate Hennessy, Andrea Zaric, Kaitlin Murphy, or Brielle Sterns. The Lakers found a ton of success in the match with this sequence of actions. The Lakers will look to build off that success in their first two PSAC matchups of the season.
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Stats Leaders
Kate Hennessy leads the team in kills with 83, and Andrea Zaric is close behind with 69. Alexa Mitchell leads the team in assists with 191, and service aces with 15. Paige Miller has 117 digs which leads the team. Kaitlin Murphy leads in blocks with 21.
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A Look at the Opponents
IUP is 9-4 so far this season and is currently on a five-game winning streak. Nyla Birch leads IUP in kills with 136. Lauren Valentic leads IUP with 67 blocks. Cal (Pa.) is 5-2 so far this year and are coming off a loss to Frostburg State. Elisa Rugiero leads Cal in kills with 92 and digs with 104. Rachael Simon leads Cal in assists with 260 and service aces with 19.
The match on Tuesday against IUP is set for 6 PM in Indiana, Pa., and the match on Saturday against Cal (Pa.) is set for 2 PM in Erie, Pa.
