MERCYHURST (0-0, 0-0 NEC) vs YOUNGSTOWN STATE (0-0, 0-0 HORIZON)
Friday, Aug. 28 – 1 p.m.
Youngstown, Ohio
TV: ESPN +
 
MERCYHURST (0-0, 0-0 NEC) vs CANISIUS (0-0, 0-0 METRO)
Friday, Aug. 28 – 4 p.m.
Youngstown, Ohio
TV: YouTube
 
DUQUESNE (0-0, 0-0 A10) vs MERCYHURST (0-0, 0-0 NEC)
Saturday, Aug, 29 – 7 p.m.
Youngstown, Ohio
TV: YouTube

ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's volleyball team kicks off their 2026 season this Friday, Aug. 28 at the Youngstown State Invitational. They will take on Youngstown State, Canisius and then on Aug. 29, they will play Duquesne. The team looks to build off their inaugural Division I playoff appearance from the 2025 season.

This is head coach Ryan Patton's 22^nd season with the Lakers, along with assistant coaches Jenell Patton, Dave Rapp and Abby Soboleski returning.
 
Mercyhurst was selected to finish third on the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll, two places better than their fifth place selection last season.
 
The Lakers graduated seven seniors, but the majority of last year's roster is making a return. There are also five incoming freshmen, totaling the team's roster to 20.
 
Julia Shepherd is one of the key players returning for Mercyhurst. Transferring in last season, she was ranked top 10 in the NEC in hitting percentage, kills and points. She also received NEC Prime Performer honors twice last season, along with making the NEC All-Conference Second Team.
 
Roslyn Guerra and Mia Mattingly also transferred to Mercyhurst last season, and made an immediate impact for the Lakers. Guerra had 173 kills on the year, which was ranked third on the team. She was also named to the Purdue Fort Wayne All-Tournament Team. Mattingly lead the team with a .316 hitting percentage and also received two NEC Prime Performer honors.
 
Other key returners include liberos Kelsie Gaiter-Davis and Sydney Forcht, opposite hitter Payton Melin and outside hitter Trinity Tatupu.
 
After the Youngstown Invitational concludes, the Lakers will host their own invitationals in consecutive weeks. The Mercyhurst Invitational, presented by Scott Enterprises, official lodging partner of Mercyhurst Athletics is scheduled for Sep. 4-5 against Morehead State, Siena and Cleveland State. The Laker Invitational, presented by Scott Enterprises, official lodging partner of Mercyhurst Athletics is scheduled for Sep. 11-12 against Columbia, Kent State and Niagara.
 
The following week, Mercyhurst will travel to the Bobcat Invitational for matches against UNC Asheville, Morgan State and Ohio.
 
Mercyhurst begins NEC competition on the road with two matchups against the FDU Knights on Oct. 2-3.
 
They continue their road trip on Oct. 9-10, when they play the Stonehill Skyhawks.
 
The Lakers will return to Erie for a four-game homestand. First, on Oct. 16-17, they will play the Le Moyne Dolphins. The following week on Oct. 23-24, the Lakers will play the Central Connecticut Blue Devils.
 
Following that homestand, the Lakers will go on the road for two consecutive weeks. The first stop is in Connecticut, when they play the New Haven Chargers on Oct. 29-30. The following week, the Lakers will travel to Chicago to face the Chicago State Cougars.
 
The Lakers return home for their final two games of the regular season on Nov. 13-14 to take on the LIU Sharks. The Sharks were the 2025 NEC Champions, and ranked first on the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Mercyhurst played their first ever Division I playoff matchup against the Sharks last season, and lost in three sets. The Lakers seek redemption against the Sharks, and look to change the narrative against the defending champs.