Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Youngstown, Ohio – The Mercyhurst Women's volleyball team opened the 2025 season at the Youngstown State Invitational Friday afternoon. The Lakers dropped both matches of the day, falling 3-0 to hosts YSU and fighting with Canisius for five sets, but ultimately dropping the second match of the day, 3-2. 
 
Game One
 
The Lakers lost in three sets, 25-12, 26-24 and 25-18 to the Penguins.
 
In the first set, UC Santa Barbara transfer Julia Shepherd got the first kill of the season. She was able to tally three kills in total in set one. Transfer Roslyn Guerra and Trinity Tatupu were able to get kills as well. Alyssa Krause shined in the first set as well, serving three consecutive aces.
 
In the second set, the Lakers brought more intensity and made it a back-and-forth game with Youngstown. Setter Alia Mastromatteo posted five assists in the set. Shepherd contributed four more kills with Andrea Zaric helped spark the offense with three. Sarah Barnum, Kaitlin Murphy, Madison Miner and Trinity Tatupu also added a kill as well. There were key blocks as well from Murphy and Sydney Forcht as well.
 
In the third set, the Lakers continued to battle and showed grit on the floor. From critical blocks, to timely digs, the Lakers kept themselves in the match. Despite the all-around play, it was not enough to defeat Youngstown.
 
Game Two
 
 The Lakers pushed the second match to five sets, but fell 15-12 in set five to Canisius. MU picked up wins in sets one and four, with scores of 25-19 and 25-11 .
 
In the first set, the Lakers went on multiple scoring runs, allowing them to create momentum and capitalize on the Golden Griffins' mistakes. Kills from Zaric, Guerra,  Shepherd, Tatupu and Murphy help the Lakers secure the first set victory of the season.
 
In the second set and third set, the Lakers put up a great fight but came up short in the end.
 
In the fourth set, the Lakers were very dominant and they won with a 14-point margin. They took advantage of the plenty attack errors by Canisius holding them to a .075 hitting percentage. The Lakers hit a scorching .407 in the fourth set to take the 25-19 win. 
 
In the fifth and final set, the Lakers battled point for point, but couldn't secure the first win of the year, falling 15-12. 
 
The Lakers continue play at the Youngstown Invitational tomorrow against Duquesne at noon.