Clarion tops volleyball 0-3 on weekend

Erin Almeter, Staff writer

Mercyhurst women’s volleyball team took on Clarion University’s Golden Eagles on Oct. 26 in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. This Saturday also happened to be Senior Recognition Day for the five graduating Lakers.

The seniors were honored before the match started and those seniors are Mary Marusza, Tess Ganich, Alyssa Zirnheld, Leah Kern, and Katie Baird.

The game went to Clarion University with a final set score of 3-0. The Lakers lost the first set 25-23. The Lakers were toe to toe with Clarion the entire set. Clarion had started strong with a lead of 6-3, but Lakers rallied back to make the score 9-8. This was done with the help of Baird, Zirnheld, and Madison Kasper as well as Addy Benjamin. The Lakers were able to get it to 14-13. They continued to fight but eventually the score ended with a 25-23, Clarion win.

The second set also went to the Golden Eagles with a score of 25-19. The Lakers started strong with a 6-1 lead led by the work of Kasper, Baird, and Kern. The visitors were still able to jump ahead to win the set despite the offense of Ganich and Zirnheld. The Lakers continued to fight in the third set, but fell short with another score of 25-19.

The seniors of the team, as well as the team as a whole, really worked hard during the recognition game. Zirnheld and Baird together gained 16 kills, 11 digs, two aces and a block. Kasper was able to get five kills which added to Ganich’s four and the five that Benjamin and Kern contributed. 14 digs were gained by Hannah Vuylsteke and another 10 digs by Claire Kenny were also accounted for in addition to her 17 assist tallies.

As for a word from a senior herself, Baird said, “the Mercyhurst volleyball team gave me lifelong friendships.” Baird also expressed her excitement as the team continues with the rest of the season and moves into playoffs and NCAA.The Lakers went into the game with a record of 13-8 overall and 5-5 in the PSAC.