MERCYHURST (3-6, 0-0 NEC) vs. UNC Asheville (10-2, 0-0 Big South)
Friday, Sept. 18 – 12:30 p.m.
Athens, Ohio
TV: ESPN+
 
MERCYHURST (3-6, 0-0 NEC) vs. Morgan State (1-8, 0-0 MEAC)
Friday, Sept. 18 – 4:00 p.m.
Athens, Ohio
TV: ESPN+
 
MERCYHURST (3-6, 0-0 NEC) vs. Ohio (4-4, 0-0 MAC)
Friday, Sept. 19 – 2:00 p.m.
Athens, Ohio
TV: ESPN+
 
The Mercyhurst volleyball team is set to continue their 2026 season on the road at the Bobcat Invitational. The Lakers are scheduled to play UNC Asheville, Morgan State and Ohio.
 
Previously From the Lakers:
The Lakers are coming off of hosting the Laker Invitational, presented by Scott Enterprises. They lost their first match against Columbia 3-1, lost a competitive five-set battle with Kent State, and won 3-0 against Niagara.
 
The Watchlist:
Opposite hitter Julia Shepherd received NEC Prime Performer honors for the third consecutive week. She had 45 kills, 11 blocks and 11 digs to go with a .375 hitting percentage. Shepherd tallied a season-high five blocks in the victory against Niagara. She also ranks second on the team with a .357 hitting percentage, which is also second in the NEC.
 
Middle blocker Ava Carney is a defensive force to be reckoned with. This past weekend at the Laker Invitational, she had 24 kills and 14 blocks, increasing her total to 61 and 20, respectively. Her .398 hitting percentage is first on the team, which also ranks first in the NEC.
 
Middle blocker Mia Mattingly also played well this past weekend, both offensively and defensively. She had 30 kills to go with 11 blocks and 10 digs. Her .331 hitting percentage ranks third, both on the Lakers and in the NEC.
 
A Closer Look: UNC Asheville

• UNC Asheville started their season 10-2, with wins coming against Elon, Bellarmine and Seton Hall.
• Outside hitter Sarah Wadsworth leads the team with 136 kills. Her 3.16 kills per set ranks fourth in the Big South.
• Head coach Danielle Marante is in her third season with the Bulldogs and led them to the Big South Championship in 2025.

A Closer Look: Morgan State

• Morgan State started their season 1-8, with their lone win coming against Saint Peter's.
• Setter Isabelle Brown averages 6.84 assists per set, which ranks second in the MEAC.
• The Bears finished 8-6 in conference play, but lost in the quarterfinals against UMES.

 
A Closer Look: Ohio

• Ohio started their season 4-4, with wins coming against Youngstown State, Marshall and Niagara.
• Outside hitter Torre Kildow has a .336 hitting percentage, which ranks ninth in the MAC.
• The Bobcats finished 12-6 in conference play in 2025, making an appearance in the MAC tournament, but fell short to Bowling Green in the quarterfinals.

 
Take a look at the 2026 schedule here.