Aug. 26, 2006

Stats

Shepherdstown, W.Va. - A year ago the Mercyhurst women's volleyball team won its first seven matches on the way to a 13-15 season. While the Lakers haven't quite reached that early season win total yet, the team did improve to 4-0 in 2006 with a pair of wins at the Shepherd Tournament Saturday. Mercyhurst defeated Wilmington 30-22, 30-15, 30-16 early in the day and then came from way behind to beat Millersville 25-30, 20-30, 30-23, 30-28, 15-12.

"When we got behind this weekend, we got real gritty," second year head coach Ryan Patton said. "That was real rewarding."

In three of the team's four matches on the weekend, the Lakers lost the opening game but found ways to get overcome those early deficits. Mercyhurst made adjustments like a veteran squad to stay unbeaten in the young season.

Mercyhurst Defeats Wilmington 30-22, 30-15, 30-16
In the team's easiest victory of the weekend, Mercyhurst rolled past Wilmington in three straight games.

Freshman setter Teri Rhodes dealt 40 assists and Kristin Peterson was a large benefactor, finishing with 15 kills. Megan Fargo, one of only two seniors on the team, had nine kills and four blocks. The other senior, Cara Nelson, had a team-high 12 digs, while Jenna Matson and Christine Nisbet each had three aces.

Mercyhurst Defeats Millersville 25-30, 20-30, 30-23, 30-28, 15-12
Mercyhurst had to battle back from huge deficits more than once to hand the Marauders their first loss of the year. After losing the first two games, the Lakers began to dig out of the hole with a 30-23 win in game three. But Millersville held a 25-20 advantage in game four before Mercyhurst found its groove and scored 10 of the next 13 points to send the match to a deciding fifth game. The Lakers finally put the match away with a 15-12 win in that frame.

Peterson and Lauren Kubinski each had 18 kills and Fargo finished with five blocks. Nelson had 27 digs while Matson ended with 18 and two aces.

Mercyhurst (4-0) will host its own invitational Friday and Saturday. The Lakers will play Wilmington again at 5:15 p.m. Friday and will follow that up with a match against Lake Superior State at 7:30 p.m.