Oct. 2, 2007

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Prior to Tuesday's conference meeting with Gannon, the only team to defeat the Mercyhurst women's volleyball team at home was nationally ranked Hillsdale. But the Golden Knights, who entered the evening without a conference win, notched their first of the season, edging out the Lakers in five games.

Gannon, now 5-11 overall and 1-7 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, took the match by scores of 30-28, 30-32, 20-30, 30-21, 15-7. With the loss, Mercyhurst falls to 14-7 overall and 2-6 in the GLIAC.

Mercyhurst, playing without injured junior Jenna Matson for most of the first game, fell behind early and could not recover, committing eight errors in 36 attempts.

The Lakers bounced back, however, taking game two thanks to 22 total kills, including seven from junior Lauren Kubinski. From there, the Lakers rolled through game three, recording five blocks and capitalizing on 11 Gannon errors.

Gannon cranked up the offense in games four and five. In the fourth, the team recorded 18 kills while committing just two errors. In the deciding game, the Golden Knights pulled away from the start, scoring six-straight ponts to build a 10-5 lead. Gail Andrews added three of her team-high kills to put away the Lakers.

Despite missing most of game one, Matson totaled 15 kills on 31 swings and also recorded three service aces. Kubinski turned in a solid performance with a career-high 23 kills, seven digs and six total blocks.

Sophomore Julia Butler picked up a season-best 60 assists.

The Lakers will look to bounce back at No. 10-ranked Grand Valley State on Oct. 5.