Box Score ERIE, Pa. — Mercyhurst University (11-17, 9-6 NEC) defeated Chicago State University in straight sets, 25-13, 25-23, 25-15, on Tuesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The Lakers recorded 10 service aces to secure their victory.

Mercyhurst opened the first set with a strong offensive surge, quickly establishing momentum with a series of successful plays. Alia Mastromatteo's setting was instrumental, facilitating kills by Mia Mattingly and Julia Shepherd, while also delivering two service aces. This early run set the tone, allowing the Lakers to build a commanding lead. Despite a brief response from their opponents, the Lakers maintained control, extending their advantage through key plays from Andrea Zaric and Roslyn Guerra. A decisive sequence of points, featuring a block by Zaric and Mattingly, widened the gap. The Lakers closed the set with a commanding 25-13 victory, capitalizing on consistent performance and errors from Chicago State.

The second set opened with the Lakers establishing momentum through an effective offensive strategy. Zaric and Mattingly contributed early kills, facilitated by Mastromatteo's key assists. Mercyhurst maintained a narrow lead, capitalizing on errors from their opponents to extend their advantage. Brice Hansen delivered a crucial service ace and Guerra added back-to-back kills, which helped create a significant gap. Despite a late push from Chicago State, Mercyhurst held firm. Kaitlin Murphy's kill brought the Lakers to set point, and Zaric closed the set with another decisive kill, securing a 25-23 victory for the home team.

Mercyhurst began the third set with significant momentum, capitalizing on a series of scoring plays initiated by Anna Logan's service ace and kill, which helped establish an early lead. Logan and Payton Melin contributed to this surge, with Melin adding a kill to extend the margin. The Lakers then continued to build on their advantage with a series of errors from Chicago State, punctuated by Guerra's block and a service ace by Sydney Forcht, pushing the score to 14-7. Despite some resistance from their opponents, including a service ace by Tenese Buttry, Mercyhurst maintained control. Zaric delivered crucial points with kills and blocks, assisted by Mastromatteo, which widened the lead further. Chicago State's attempts to close the gap were thwarted by consistent defensive plays from the Lakers. As the set progressed, the Lakers sealed the period with a decisive block by Trinity Tatupu and Mattingly, concluding the set at 25-15. The Lakers performance in the third set was marked by effective serving and strategic kills, securing the set and maintaining their lead.

Zaric led the team with 12 kills on 18 attempts, hitting .556, while also contributing defensively with two solo blocks and one block assist. Mastromatteo facilitated the offense with 20 assists and added 10 digs in her performance. Mattingly recorded eight kills on 12 attempts without an error, achieving a .667 hitting percentage, and posted two block assists. Guerra added to the defensive effort with two solo blocks and finished with six kills.

In their next match, the Lakers will host Chicago State on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. in Erie, Pennsylvania.