Feb. 17, 2007

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's volleyball team played possibly the best match of its season Saturday against one of the best opponents it will face all year. The Lakers gave No. 7 IPFW everything it could handle before eventually losing 30-32, 30-20, 33-31, 30-21.

Mercyhurst shocked IPFW with a tremendous come-from-behind win in the opening game, battling back from a 21-13 deficit. After an IPFW attack error, Mercyhurst setter David Hatten served six consecutive points, including one ace, as the Lakers closed to within one point. But IPFW looked like it would put game one away after a C.J. Macias kill gave the Mastodons a 29-26 lead and forced Mercyhurst coach Ryan Patton to use a timeout.

But the Lakers battled back with a Mike Palaschak kill and a Hatten ace, followed by a Tim Wagner kill to tie the match. After Macias posted another kill to put IPFW ahead 30-29, Joe Montroy knotted the game up again on a kill. A Macias error, followed by a Palaschak kill gave Mercyhurst the opening game win.

It looked as if the opening game victory awoke IPFW and the Mastodons cruised to a 30-20 game two win, seemingly well on their way to an easier time throughout the rest of the match, but the Lakers were not through yet.

Mercyhurst and IPFW played to a dead-even draw in game three and kills by Montroy and Bryan Ritter put the Lakers on the verge of winning the game with a 30-29 lead. But a service error, followed by a Vitor Oliveira kill gave IPFW the lead, and the Mastodons held off the Lakers after a ball-handling error game them the 32-30 win.

In the final game, Mercyhurst continued to play well and was tied 15-15 midway through the game. But IPFW outscored the Lakers 15-6 the rest of the way for the 30-21 match-clinching victory.

On the evening, Mercyhurst was led in kills by Wagner, who finished with 17. He added six digs as well. Palaschak ended with 14 kills and four blocks, while Hatten played a strong all-around game as the team's setter, ending with six kills, 48 assists, three aces, five digs and two blocks.

IPFW improves to 9-1 with the win and 4-1 in the MIVA. Mercyhurst falls to 0-11 overall and 0-6 in MIVA play. The Lakers will be on the road for their next five matches, beginning with a contest at Central State (Ohio) Thursday at 7 p.m.