Edinboro, Pa. - The Edinboro University volleyball team was victorious in four sets (25-20, 25-11, 25-27, 25-23) over Mercyhurst University, in a PSAC West match up on Saturday afternoon at McComb Fieldhouse in Edinboro, PA. With the win the Fighting Scots improved to (19-5) overall and (11-3) in the PSAC West. The Lakers fall to (10-15) overall and (7-9) in conference play.
On the offensive attack for Edinboro, sophomore Natalie Pallone finished with a game-high 15 kills which is a season-high for her, Pallone hit at an impressive .682
Junior Bella Burrelli and freshman Abby Monn each contributed 11 kills to Edinboro's attack, Monn hit at .241 and Burrelli at .229
Senior Alicia Eldredge continued to create for Edinboro's balanced offense, Eldredge finished with a game-high 40 assists
Freshman Carly Pry recorded two of Edinboro's four service aces on the afternoon
On the defensive side for Edinboro, Pallone led the Scots with nine blocks which is another season-high for her, senior Sally Sterkel contributed six blocks, while freshman Michaella Cloonan added five
In the digs department Eldredge finished with 16, while Monn added 15, and Pry contributed 14 of her own
In the opening set of the match Edinboro was in a battle with Mercyhurst, the Scots would take the first set 25-20. Early on the Scots jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The first set there was no ties or lead changes, as Edinboro controlled the momentum throughout the set. Edinboro's attack in the set was remarkable, the Scots recorded 13 kills and hit at .478. Late in the set Edinboro was up 22-20 when they scored four-straight points and slammed the door on the lakers. The final four points consisted of a kill by Pallone and three attack errors by Mercyhurst.
The second set of the match was a similar story, Edinboro continued to control the momentum and won the second set 25-11. This was the second set in a row in which, Edinboro did not allow Mercyhurst to gain a lead or even tie it up. The Scots started the second set by scoring six-straight points off Eldredge's service. Edinboro's attack remained efficient, they hit at .429 and posted 12 kills. Edinboro ended the set on a 9-1 run, with aces by Pry and Burrelli, as well as kills by Cloonan and Monn.
In the third set there was a shift in momentum, Mercyhurst won the third set 25-27. The third set consisted of the Lakers gaining their first lead all afternoon. The set had 13 ties and seven lead changes. Mercyhurst's attack was the difference in the third set, the Lakers posted a game-high 17 kills. A crucial point in the set came when Edinboro was up 25-24 and had a chance to win the set and clinch the match. Ultimately, Mercyhurst was relentless and went on to score the next three points to win the set 25-27.
In the fourth and final set Edinboro was able to regain their original momentum, and win the set 25-23. Edinboro opened up the fourth set by scoring six-straight points, with two kills by Pallone and one by Monn that put the Scots up 8-5. Later in the set Edinboro scored another six-straight with three kills by Pallone. Suddenly Edinboro led Mercyhurst 20-12. The Lakers came firing back by going on their own 8-0 run to tie it up 23-23. Edinboro would finish out the game by scoring the next two points, which were kills by Monn and Burrelli.
Edinboro will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 12, at McComb Fieldhouse when they host Seton Hill at 6 p.m.
