Edinboro, Pa. - The Edinboro University volleyball team fell short and were defeated in five sets (12-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-15, 12-15) by Mercyhurst University, in a PSAC West match up on Saturday afternoon at Mercyhurst Athletic Center in Erie, PA. With the loss the Fighting Scots fall to (12-3) overall and (5-1) in the PSAC West. The Lakers improve to (6-11) overall and (2-4) in conference play.
On the offensive attack for Edinboro, junior Bella Burrelli led the way with 18 kills, freshman Abby Monn also contributed 14 kills
Senior Alicia Eldredge found success in setting up her teammates, she posted 41 assists
On the defensive side, freshman Carly Pry led the team with 19 digs, Eldredge contributed 17, and Monn added 14 of her own
In the blocks department, sophomore Sydnee Jones and Monn each had four blocks, senior Sally Sterkel also contributed three
In the opening set of the match, Mercyhurst came out of the gates on fire and won the first set 12-25. The Lakers started out the first set by going up 2-11 on the Scots. The initial run was controlled by the service of Hannah Vuylsteke, she recorded five aces in the run. Edinboro was held to a hitting percentage of .026 in the first set. Mercyhurst recorded four straight kills to conclude the first set 12-25.
The second set Edinboro gained control and won 25-17. The Scots recorded a hitting percentage of .379 in the second set, this was team's best percentage all afternoon. Early in the set, Edinboro held a steady lead. Midway through the set, Edinboro went on a 5-1 run that included kills by Monn and Eldredge. Eventually Edinboro finished off the set by scoring four straight points. Edinboro won the second set 25-17.
Edinboro started out the third set with a strong offensive attack. With kills by Sterkel and Burrelli, the Scots were suddenly up 6-1. Mercyhurst would respond with little runs of their own. Midway through the third set, it was all tied up 14-14. Mercyhurst was more efficient on the attack in the set, which became the difference maker. Mercyhurst hit at .171 and Edinboro was held to .030. The last point of the set came from a kill from Mercyhurst. The Lakers won the third set 20-25.
Edinboro would respond once again in the fourth set, the Scots would win the set 25-15. The Scots won the battle on the attack and posted 14 kills in the set. Edinboro got out to an early lead and went up 7-2 with kills by Burrelli, Jones, and Monn. Midway through the set the Scots went on another run and rattled off five straight points to go up 17-10. Edinboro remained dominant throughout the entire set as they scored seven of the last eight points, Burrelli posted three kills during the run. Edinboro won the fourth set 25-15 to force a fifth set.
In the fifth and final set the two teams continued to battle and go back and forth with the lead. The set consisted of six ties and five lead changes. Midway through the set Edinboro scored four straight points, with kills by Burrelli, Monn, and junior Erica Sharp to put the Scots up 8-7. Mercyhurst won the battle on the attack, the Lakers recorded their best hitting percentage all afternoon in the fifth set at .346. Mercyhurst would score the final two points of the sets with two kills. Mercyhurst won the set 12-15.
Edinboro will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 15, when they travel on the road to match up against Slippery Rock University at 7 p.m.
