Indiana, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Volleyball team opened up PSAC play on the road against IUP. IUP was able to go on scoring runs to pull away from the Lakers and they took the match in three sets.  

How it Happened 

In the first set, IUP jumped out to a 5-1 lead that included a 4-0 run. Kate Hennessy ended the run with a kill on a beautiful set from Alexa Mitchell. A little bit later Alexa Mitchell set up Kate Hennessy again. This brought the score to 7-4 in favor of IUP. Andrea Zaric and Kaitlin Murphy rose and blocked a kill attempt to draw a little bit closer. IUP proceeded to go on an 8-0 run to make the score 17-5. The run was ended by an Andrea Zaric kill from Alexa Mitchell. As the end of the first set drew closer, IUP held a 23-10 lead. The Lakers tried to draw closer with some a block and a kill from Kaitlin Murphy, but it wasn't enough as IUP took set one 25-12. 

Set two got started with back-to-back kills by Kate Hennessy. After IUP tied it at two, Kate Hennessy added a kill for all three points in the set so far. IUP took a 7-3 lead, but Kate Hennessy added yet another kill to draw a point closer. IUP extended their lead, but Kaitlin Murphy, Corinne Bechtold, Ersa Ackay, and Brielle Sterns drew the score closer as it was now 11-9 in favor of IUP. The Lakers were down 15-14, but a kill by Kaitlin Murphy and a kill by Andrea Zaric gave the Lakers the lead at 16-15. IUP took the lead right back as they now lead 20-17. Andrea Zaric did it herself as she recorded three straight kills to tie the set at 20. IUP was able to make enough plays to hold off the Lakers for a win in set two by a score of 25-23. 

In set three IUP jumped out to an 11-3 lead, before Andrea Zaric ended that run with a kill. IUP extended their lead before Corinne Bechtold added a kill to stop the IUP scoring. The Lakers drew closer with kills from Andrea Zaric and Kate Hennessy, and a combined block from Kaitlin Murphy and Kate Hennessy. IUP was able to close out set three with a 25-12 win and would take the match in three sets.  

Highlights 

Kate Hennessy and Andrea Zaric tied for the team lead with seven kills. Kaitlin Murphy and Corinne Bechtold added three each. Alexa Mitchell led the way with 19 assists. Kaitlin Murphy added five blocks which led the team. Paige Miller was the leader in digs with 19. 

Next Up 

The Lakers will return home for a match with Cal (Pa.) on Saturday at 2 PM.