ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's bowling team kicked off their 2026-27 season by hosting the sixth annual Mercyhurst Invitational at Rolling Meadows on Saturday and Sunday. After finishing as the runner-up in the NEC championship last spring, the Lakers were looking to start on a strong note and make an impact in the NEC this season. The tournament consisted of Niagara, Duquesne, Daemen, William Smith, Roberts Wesleyan, LeMoyne, Hilbert, D'Youville and Mercyhurst.
 
In Traditional competition, the lakers were able to compete and fight their way through most of their matchups, but unfortunately only managed to come away with one win in the process. The Lakers managed to keep the margins close in their matchups with Daemen, Duquesne and Roberts Wesleyan. In their final traditional match, the Lakers pulled out a 1,003-937 win over Niagara thanks to an impressive 246 game from Tia Germanich.
 
In Baker competition, the Lakers split their matchups 2-2 with 936-903 and 969-774 wins over Hilbert and D'Youville respectively. Mackensie Livingston and Tia Germanich each put in strong performances in the wins, throwing 212 and 222 respectively.
 
In Sunday's championship bracket, the Lakers found themselves facing Roberts Wesleyan for a fifth place finish in the tournament. After a strong team offensive, the Lakers managed to put in a dominating performance and come away with a 1,022-895 win.
 
The Lakers finished the weekend with a 4-5 record and a fifth place finish. The Lakers also managed to strike 8,905 and a game average of 178.1.
 
Germanich led the Lakers with a third place finish in the tournament thanks to 1,024 total pins and a game average of 204.8 through Saturday's competition. Hannah Windows also finished in the top 10 with 920 total pins and an average of 184.0, landing her in ninth place.
 
The Lakers will next travel to Struthers, Ohio to participate in the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic Friday, October 16.