Teaneck, NJ. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Volleyball team continues their Northeast Conference road trip as they face Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday and Saturday. The matches are set for 6:00 PM and 1:00 PM at the Rothman Center, where the Lakers will look to build on their recent win over Stonehill and improve their conference record. 

Laker Outlook 

The Lakers enter the match with a 2-10 overall record and a 1-1 mark in NEC play. The Lakers are coming off a strong four-set victory over Stonehill, where Paige Miller once again led the offense with 16 kills, while Kaitlin Murphy and Jessica Wilson made key contributions at the net. Miller continues to be the top offensive threat for the Lakers, leading the team with 115 kills, averaging 2.95 kills per set. Alia Mastromatteo has provided steady playmaking with 137 assists, while Kelsie Gaiter-Davis anchors the defense with 123 digs on the season. 

As the Lakers continue their road stretch, they'll aim to improve their offensive efficiency, currently hitting .114 as a team, while focusing on their blocking game, where Kaitlin Murphy leads with 23 total blocks. 

Paige Miller was named an NEC Prime Performer this week for her performance over the weekend.   

A Look at FDU

Fairleigh Dickinson enters the matchup with a 12-5 overall record and an impressive 2-0 start in NEC play. The Knights are riding a seven-game win streak, highlighted by strong performances from their offensive leaders. Avery Bain has been a dominant force at the net, leading the team with 147 kills, averaging 2.63 kills per set. Eleonora Tosi and Kylie Notthave also been key contributors with 160 and 138 kills, respectively, while Hannah Schmidt leads the team in assists with 373. 

Defensively, the Knights have been solid, averaging 1.9 blocks per set, with Kylie Nott and Eleonora Tosi leading the way. Fairleigh Dickinson also boasts a strong service game, averaging 1.94 aces per set, with Emily Van O'Linda contributing 25 service aces on the season. 

What to Watch For 

• Paige Miller versus Avery Bain: Both outside hitters are their teams' offensive focal points and will likely go head-to-head in an exciting battle. 

• Mercyhurst's blocking against Fairleigh Dickinson's high-powered attack. The Lakers' front line, led by Kaitlin Murphy, will need to step up to contain Bain and Tosi. 

• The service game: Fairleigh Dickinson averages 1.94 aces per set, while Mercyhurst averages 1.75. The team that can gain an edge from the service line could shift momentum in critical moments. 

• Defensive consistency: Kelsie Gaiter-Davis will look to anchor Mercyhurst's defense against a Fairleigh Dickinson team that thrives on offense. 

Next Up 

After their match with Fairleigh Dickinson, the Lakers will return home for the first time in over a month to face Saint Francis in their next NEC matchup.