Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Volleyball team is set to open their first season in Division 1 this weekend when they host the University of Maryland Eastern Shores for a pair of games.  

The Lakers are coming off a season in which they finished with a record of 4-20 and missed the PSAC tournament.  In their final season in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, they finished with a conference record of 2-14.  The Lakers will now enter their first season in the Northeast Conference. 

Returning for the Lakers is junior Andrea Zaric who finished second on the team in kills with 180 a season ago.  Zaric also finished second on the team in points per set with 2.58.  Also returning for the Lakers is sophomore Kaitlin Murphy and senior Paige Miller.  Murphy finished third on the team in kills a season go with 129, while leading the Lakers in blocks with 50.  Miller spent time as both a libero and an outside hitter last season.  Miller racked up 21 kills and 31 assists, while leading the team in total digs with 246. 

Head Coach Ryan Patton hit the transfer portal hard this offseason, bringing in five transfers for this year's team.  Brice Hansen from Wilmington University, Jessica Wilson from Eastern Michigan, Abby Miller from Cleveland State, Trinity Tatupu from Alaska Anchorage, and Lilliana Mook from Notre Dame College.  

Looking ahead to the opponent, Maryland Eastern Shores is coming off a season in which they went 16-12 overall and 8-6 in the MEAC.  The Hawks return their leader in kills from a season ago, Ranyla Griggs, who finished last season with 303 kills. 

This will be the first ever matchup between the Lakers and the Hawks.  Start time for Friday's game is set for 6 PM, followed by a 1 PM start for game two on Saturday.