Fighting Scots Look to Build on Winning Streak with Match at Mercyhurst

GAMEDAY CENTRAL – Edinboro at Mercyhurst

Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2019 – 7:05 p.m.
Site: Mercyhurst Athletic Center, Erie, Pa.
Records: Edinboro 12-10, 6-5 PSAC Northwest l Mercyhurst 13-9, 5-6 PSAC Northwest
Edinboro Links:  Roster I Schedule I Stats
Mercyhurst Links:  Roster l Schedule l Stats
Live Stats

AROUND THE PSAC

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MATCH STORYLINES

Edinboro looks to build on its two-match winning streak from the weekend, when the Fighting Scots defeated Clarion and Slippery Rock by identical 3-0 scores. That boosted Edinboro's record to 12-10 over and 6-5 in the PSAC. Mercyhurst, meanwhile, comes in at 13-9 and 5-6, respectively. The Lakers look to end a four-game losing streak.
The Fighting Scots have just seven matches remaining with a big week ahead with three contests. Following Tuesday's match at Mercyhurst, they host Southeast Division-leading Seton Hill on Friday, November 1 and Cal U on Saturday, November 2.
With the division winners and the next four teams with the best record moving on to the PSAC Tournament, Edinboro is in the thick of the playoff race. Gannon leads the Northwest Division at 11-1, with Edinboro and Clarion tied at 6-5 and Mercyhurst sitting at 5-6. Among the non-Division leaders, Shepherd is 10-2 and Millersville 8-4. After that, three teams, including Edinboro, are 6-5.
Junior Cierah Jackson became the 14^th Edinboro player with 1,000 career kills this past weekend, boosting her career total to 1,019. The 5'8" outside hitter has a team-high 276 kills and has led Edinboro in kills in 17 of the 22 matches, and has been in double figures in 19 of 22. Jackson was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Javelina Volleyball Invitational. She has earned second team All-PSAC honors while leading the Fighting Scots in kills each of her first two seasons. Jackson was named the PSAC Northwest Division Athlete of the Week for her efforts in the Rebich Investments Invitational.
Head coach Missy Soboleski is in her 15th year as Edinboro's head coach and holds the career record for victories with 325. All told, she has compiled a 462-362 record while serving as a head coach for 24 years. She previously served as head coach at Mercyhurst and Gannon before taking over at Edinboro in 2005. She has led Edinboro to eight NCAA Division II playoff berths. Soboleski entered the season ranked 22nd in Division II among active coaches in victories, and is third among PSAC coaches.
Alicia Eldredge is in her second season as the starting setter after enjoying an outstanding season as a freshman. She finished with a team-leading 916 assists a year ago, which ranks 13^th in a season, and ranked tenth in the PSAC in assists per set (8.88) and service aces per set (0.38). Eldredge has 725 assists this season, along with 37 service aces, which tied for the team lead. Eldredge stands tenth in career assists with 1,641.
Molly Breier has a team-high 287 digs, bringing her career total to 894. That is good for 20^th all-time.
A pair of freshmen have played a key role for the Fighting Scots this season. Bella Burrelli, a 6'0" outside hitter/opposite, ranks second in both kills (227) and digs (202), along with being tied for the team lead in service aces (37). Erica Sharp, a 6'2", middle hitter/outside hitter, has added 141 kills and a team-high 63 blocks.
Sharp is one of three solid middle hitters for the Fighting Scots. Sophomore Sally Sterkel has 96 kills and 28 blocks, while junior Paige Morris adds 77 kills and 47 blocks, the latter figure ranking second on the team.

UP NEXT

The Fighting Scots play back-to-back matches at home on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2. They host Southwest Division-leading Seton Hill on Friday, with Cal U visiting McComb Fieldhouse on Saturday at 5 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Alicia Eldredge: S; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#19 Cierah Jackson: OH; 5' 8"; Junior

#16 Sally Sterkel: MH; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#6 Molly Breier: DS/L; 5' 7"; Junior

#5 Paige Morris: MH; 5' 9"; Junior

#11 Bella Burrelli: OH/Opp; 6' 0"; Freshman

#15 Erica Sharp: MH/OH; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Alicia Eldredge
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: S

#19 Cierah Jackson
: 5' 8"; Junior
: OH

#16 Sally Sterkel
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: MH

#6 Molly Breier
: 5' 7"; Junior
: DS/L

#5 Paige Morris
: 5' 9"; Junior
: MH

#11 Bella Burrelli
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: OH/Opp

#15 Erica Sharp
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: MH/OH