Erie, Pa.-- The Edinboro volleyball team earned a win on Tuesday night against Mercyhurst in four sets as they swept the season series (25-20, 25-17, 25-27, 25-16). With the win, the Scots improved to (17-6) overall and (7-4) in conference play.
In four sets played, Edinboro recorded nine more kills than Mercyhurst. The Scots finished with a (.238) hitting percentage compared to the Laker's (.072) clip.
Edinboro produced a match-high 17 kills with a (.368) hitting percentage in set one. A solo block from Bella Burrelli capped off a four-point run by the Scots that put them ahead 7-5. The Lakers continued to fight on their home court, as an attack error by the Boro tied things back up at 11-11. Later, three-straight kills from Burrelli forced a Mercyhurst timeout. Right out of the timeout, a solo block from Sally Sterkel had Edinboro leading 19-15. The Scots continued to pull away as back-to-back kills from Sterkel forced the Lakers to use their last timeout of the set. A kill from Erica Sharp retired the first set at 25-20 in favor of the Scots.
In set two Edinboro's relentless defense held the Lakers to a (-.100) hitting percentage and only allowed eight kills on Mercyhurst's attack. Early on back-to-back attack errors by the Lakers extended Edinboro's lead to 7-4. Mercyhurst would counter with a few points of their own including a service ace which tied things up at 8-8. Later, an Edinboro run would allow the Scots to regain the lead after a block shared by Natalie Pallone and Sterkel. The Scots continued to pour on the points, including the final four points. Sharp and Burrelli each recorded a kill and block in the final run to retire the set at 25-17.
Early in the third set, the Scots found themselves trailing 7-8 after an attack error. Edinboro then countered with a run consisting of three-straight kills from Burrelli which put the Scots ahead 12-8. Edinboro strung together another strong run, this time it was seven unanswered points. The run featured kills from Kasey Smith, Burrelli, Sterkel and Sharp as Edinboro led 19-9. As Edinboro was approaching their third set win, the Lakers had other plans. Mercyhurst came rushing back with an impressive 15-4 run and suddenly was ahead 24-23 with the set point approaching. Edinboro then countered with a kill from Abigale Soboleski which kept the Scots alive in the set. Ultimately two kills and an ace from Mercyhurst was enough for them to escape the set win a 27-25 win.
Early in the fourth set the Lakers and the Scots kept things close after another kill from Soboleski put Edinboro ahead 6-5. An Emelia Rowell ace capped off four-straight points from the Boro as they led 11-7. Mercyhurst then countered with their own attack as back-to-back kills cut the Edinboro lead to just 15-13. The Scots closed out the fourth set on a 10-3 run that was fueled by kills from Sharp and Burrelli and a huge solo block from Pallone. Edinboro won the set 25-16 and clinched the match in four sets.
Edinboro will be back in action on Saturday when travel to Gannon at 2 pm.
