ERIE, Pa. — Mercyhurst University (5-15, 3-4 NEC) secured a 3-1 victory over the University of New Haven (2-16, 1-8 NEC) at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, with the home team taking the sets 26-24, 25-19, 19-25, and 26-24. The Lakers' attack was led by a total of 59 kills, helping them achieve a .227 hitting percentage.

Mercyhurst began the first set with a lineup featuring Andrea Zaric, Kaitlin Murphy, and Mia Mattingly, among others. New Haven initially took the lead, but a kill by Zaric assisted by Alia Mastromatteo marked the Lakers' first point. Despite New Haven's early edge, Mercyhurst responded with back-to-back kills from Roslyn Guerra, narrowing the gap to 6-5.

Midway through the set, Mercyhurst showed resilience, with kills from Julia Shepherd and Murphy, trimming New Haven's lead to 15-14. A service ace by Kelsie Gaiter-Davis further tightened the scoreline. As the set progressed, the Lakers continued to apply pressure with a series of kills from Zaric and Mattingly, leveling the score at 22-22.

The set concluded with the Lakers seizing momentum through key plays from Shepherd, who delivered crucial kills, and taking advantage of New Haven's errors. The final point came from an attack error by New Haven's Lauren MacKellar, securing a 26-24 victory for Mercyhurst in the first set.

Mercyhurst began the second set by building early momentum with key plays from Mattingly and Mastromatteo, pushing the score to 4-2. New Haven responded to level the set at 7-7, but a kill from Shepherd helped the Lakers regain a narrow lead.

The score remained tight with both teams exchanging points, reaching a 15-15 deadlock. Mercyhurst then capitalized on New Haven's errors and strong plays from Zaric and Murphy, inching ahead to break the tie.

In the final stretch, the Lakers demonstrated effective teamwork with a service ace from Brice Hansen and multiple kills by Shepherd. Mercyhurst closed the set decisively at 25-19, securing the set with a block from Shepherd and Mattingly.

Mercyhurst started the third set with a determined effort to regain momentum, responding to New Haven's early lead. Shepherd and Murphy contributed key kills while Gaiter-Davis's service ace helped level the score at 4-4. Despite trading points, the Lakers maintained pressure with contributions from Guerra and Payton Melin to keep the score close.

As the set progressed, Zaric and Sydney Forcht delivered crucial kills. However, New Haven managed to pull ahead with a series of offensive plays. Mercyhurst's defensive efforts, including a block from Mattingly and Shepherd, helped reduce the deficit momentarily.

Ultimately, New Haven's late surge, aided by service aces and attack errors from Mercyhurst, allowed them to close the set 25-19.

The fourth set saw the Lakers regain control after an evenly matched start. Shepherd and Guerra contributed early with kills, and a block by Mattingly and Shepherd helped establish a narrow lead. New Haven responded to tie the score at 6-6, but Mercyhurst capitalized on attack errors to regain a slight edge.

New Haven fought back, tying the score at 8-8 and then moving ahead with effective plays. The Lakers, however, stayed resilient, with Shepherd and Zaric making crucial kills to level the score at 12-12. A service ace by Zaric briefly put Mercyhurst ahead, but New Haven equalized again.

In the closing moments, the teams traded points until Mercyhurst edged ahead 23-22 thanks to a block by Zaric. After New Haven tied it at 24, Shepherd's kill and Sarah Barnum's finishing point secured a 26-24 victory for the Lakers, concluding the set on a strong note.

Julia Shepherd led the team with 16 kills, contributing significantly to her total of 18 points. Zaric recorded 14 kills while also adding one service ace, finishing with a total of 16 points. Mastromatteo set up her teammates effectively, posting 24 assists and adding seven digs. Mattingly was a defensive force, registering six total blocks and adding five kills.

The next challenge for the Lakers will take place at home as they face off against Stonehill on October 24. The match will begin at 6 p.m. in Erie, Pa.