ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Women's Bowling team began their 2025-26 campaign at their 5^th Annual Mercyhurst Invitational, hosted at Rolling Meadows, over Homecoming weekend. The Lakers finished 4^th out of 8 teams over the weekend, with strong performances coming from the first day of competition.
 
In the Traditional competition, the Lakers first faced off against Roberts Wesleyan, where they came away with the 1,003-908 victory. Senior Nicole Lemponen rolled a 236, her highest of the weekend. The Blue and Green would go on to win their four remaining matches of the day, beating Daemen, Penn State-Behrend, William Smith, and D'Youville. The Lakers would finish the day in 2^nd place.
 
In Baker competition, the Lakers were unable to retain their momentum, falling to Niagara, who would go on to win the tournament, 1,039-898. In the championship bracket, Mercyhurst fell to Wright State 949-897, which then placed the Lakers in a consolation game against Roberts Wesleyan for the second time of the weekend. Mercyhurst would go on to beat Roberts Wesleyan in five rounds, 991-929.
 
The Lakers finished the weekend 6-2 in tournament play with 7,536 pins between Baker and Traditional competition, boasting a team average of 188.4 per game.
 
Lemponen rolled an average of 196.2, which placed her 5^th overall in the tournament. Ahmielle Roberts rolled a 194.4 average, placing her at 6^th overall, and Tia Germanich rolled a 187.4, placing her in 11^th.
 
The Lakers will travel to Youngstown, Ohio for the Youngstown State Penguin Classic Oct. 17.