Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Volleyball team opened up their 2024 campaign by hosting the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  Today marks a historic day as the Lakers hosted their first ever Division 1 volleyball game.  The Hawks came back from down two sets to none to beat the Lakers 3-2.    

How it Happened 

The Lakers dominated in the first set, getting out to an early 11-3 lead.  Alyssa Krause served for seven straight Laker points, picking up back-to-back service aces during the Lakers 7-0 run.  Later in the first set, Krause got the serve back and helped rip off four more points, helping close out the first set.  The Lakers took set one 25-11. 

Set two was a battle as both sides went back and forth.  Newcomer Jessica Wilson got in the game and made an instant impact with two kills.  Paige Miller did her thing, racking up five kills during set two and helped the Lakers take set two by a score of 25-23. 

The Hawks led from start to finish in set three.  The Lakers made a late comeback attempt, but it was not enough, and the Hawks took set three.  Kaitlin Murphy opened set four with a kill, but the Hawks went on an 8-0 run.  The Lakers went on a 4-0 run of their own on the serve of Alia Mastromatteo.  A little later in the set, the Lakers went on another run on the serve of Andrea Zaric.  An ace by Zaric made it 23-21. The Hawks grabbed the last two points and closed out set four. 

It was back and forth in the fifth set and came down to the very end.  A Paige Miller kill and a block by Jessica Wilson made it 14-13, but the Hawks grabbed the last point and took the set 15-13. 

Highlights      

Paige Miller led the Lakers in kills with 16, while her sister Abby Miller led the Lakers in assists with 16. 

Kaitlin Murphy led the Lakers in blocks with four. 

Alyssa Krause finished the match with five total aces. 

Freshman Kelsie Gaiter-Davis racked up 24 digs. 

Next Up 

The Lakers will return to action tomorrow afternoon when they host Maryland Eastern Shore for the second of two games against the Hawks this weekend.  Start time is set for 1 PM inside the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.