Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Volleyball team hosted Cal (Pa.) in a PSAC matchup. After a hard-fought match, the Lakers were able to make a late comeback and take the match 3-2.
How it Happened
Kaitlin Murphy got the scoring starting for the Lakers with a kill. Erin Wall followed that up with a service ace. After a kill by Andrea Zaric, a kill by Maggie Thomas, and a service ace by Alexa Mitchell, the Lakers held a 10-5 lead. Cal was able to draw closer, making the score 10-9. The Lakers went on a 4-0 run that saw Maggie Thomas get a kill, Kate Hennessy get two kills, and Andrea Zaric capped it off with a service ace. After some back and forth, the Lakers were able to go on another 4-0 run that was capped off by a kill by Kate Hennessy. The Lakers held a 19-14 lead. Kaitlin Murphy finished set one with a kill and a service ace. The Lakes took set one 25-18.
After a 6-0 run, the Lakers had the early lead in set two 11-5. Cal was able to make a comeback and take the lead at the midway point of the second set. They found themselves with a 16-14 lead. Kate Hennessy got the lead back for the Lakers with a kill and a service ace. Cal scored three straight points and took the lead back. The Lakers tied the set up at 19 with three straight kills from Andrea Zaric. Cal was able to capitalize on a few mistakes by the Lakers and they would take set two 26-24.
Cal opened up set three with a 6-2 run. The Lakers were able to tie it up at six with a couple of kills from Alexa Mitchell. Both teams went back and forth, and the set was tied at 11. After a kill by Kate Hennessy the Lakes trailed Cal 20-17 in set three. Cal went on a 5-0 run to take set three and lead 2-1 in the match.
The Lakers came out and led 8-6 early in set four. Andrea Zaric broke the 6-6 tie with back-to-back kills. Cal scored three points in a row to take the lead 9-8, but Andrea Zaric tied it right back up at nine with a kill. The Lakers went on a 6-0 run that was capped off with a Corinne Bechtold kill and Madalynn Ward finding an opening on a return after a serve by Cal. The Lakers held a 15-11 lead. Corinne Bechtold and Kaitlin Murphy extended the lead even more, making it 17-12. Cal made a comeback and came to within one point in the set. It was 23-22. Maggie Thomas jumped up at the net and hammered a kill straight down to make it 24-22. An error by Cal gave the Lakers set four and tied it up at two sets apiece.
Cal jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in set five. Kate Hennessy and Kaitlin Murphy each had a kill to draw within one. After a kill by Cal, Alia Mastromatteo came into the set and had a service ace to tie the set up 6-6. That ace sparked a 4-0 run for the Lakers that was capped off by a Maggie Thomas, and Alexa Mitchell kill. Cal got the set to within one, 11-10. Maggie Thomas responded with a kill, and Madalynn Ward had back-to-back service aces to come within one point of taking the set and the match. Cal scored the next two points, but Kaitlin Murphy had enough of that and ended the set and the match with a kill. The Lakers completed the comeback and took the match 3-2.
Highlights
Andrea Zaric led the team and the entire match with 16 kills. Kate Hennessy and Kaitlin Murphy each added 13 kills. Alexa Mitchell finished the match with three service aces, and 48 assists. Kaitlin Murphy added three blocks. Paige Miller had 16 digs.
Next Up
The Lakers will be on the road next as they travel to Slippery Rock for a match on Friday, September 29th. Start time for the match is set for 7 PM.
