Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Volleyball team returns home for the first time since September 5th as they prepare to face the Saint Francis Red Flash this Friday and Saturday. The Lakers are looking to bounce back from a tough weekend against Fairleigh Dickinson and improve their conference record. 

Laker Outlook 

Mercyhurst enters the match with a 2-12 overall record and a 1-3 mark in NEC play. The Lakers have seen strong individual performances from Paige Miller, who leads the team with 147 kills, averaging 3.13 kills per set while hitting .207. Alia Mastromatteo and Alyssa Krause have been the primary playmakers, totaling 161 and 139 assists this season, while Kelsie Gaiter-Davis anchors the defense with 138 digs. Kaitlin Murphy leads the Lakers at the net, recording 32 blocks so far. 

As the Lakers continue their road trip, they'll focus on improving their offensive efficiency, currently hitting .126 as a team, and sharpening their defensive presence. 

Paige Miller has been named an NEC Prime Performer for the second straight week.  Miller totaled 32 digs, 18 kills, and four blocks against FDU. 

A Look at Saint Francis 

Saint Francis enters the matchup with a 7-9 overall record and an impressive 3-1 start in NEC play. The Red Flash are coming off a pair of wins over Central Connecticut State. Korrin Burns has been the standout offensive player for Saint Francis, leading the team with 173 kills, averaging 4.02 kills per set. She is supported by Maggie Hogan, who has tallied 191 kills this season. 

Defensively, the Red Flash have been strong at the net, averaging 1.28 blocks per set, with Laney Wilson and Drew Wallech contributing 31 and 25 total blocks, respectively. Saint Francis also has a potent serving game, with 154 aces so far this season, led by Emma Fenton and Maggie Hogan. 

What to Watch For 

• Paige Miller vs. Korrin Burns: Both teams' offenses run through their star players. Watch for Paige Miller and Korrin Burns to go head-to-head in a battle of the top outside hitters. 

• Blocking Battle: Saint Francis averages 1.28 blocks per set, while Kaitlin Murphy leads Mercyhurst's blocking efforts. Both teams will need to step up defensively to contain the opposing attack. 

• Service Pressure: The Red Flash average 2.66 aces per set, while the Lakers are averaging 1.71 aces per set. Serving could play a key role in creating momentum for both teams. 

Next Up 

Following their match against Saint Francis, the Lakers will host Central Connecticut State for a pair of games starting on Friday.