Jill Barrile photo: Kiera Rebert is one of eight juniors who make up the core of the volleyball team. With only two seniors, the group has had to step up for the team to be successful.With postseason excitement just around the corner, the Mercyhurst College women’s volleyball team intends to perform at their peak for the remainder of the season.

Sitting at 12-12 overall, the Lakers are coming off a tough 3-1 loss to Gannon. Standing at 5-8 in the conference, big games remain against Slippery Rock, Clarion, Edinboro and a re-match against Gannon.

Coach Ryan Patton believes the team has a few key areas to work on.

“We need to hit better and put the ball away even when the first pass isn’t perfect,” Patton said.

Finishing games has been an on-going problem for the team.

“We show good capabilities from time to time, but we also waste a lot of opportunities,” Patton said. “It’s mostly at the end of games where we are under performing.”

He noted junior Elyse Texido has been the best leader thus far because of her leadership on the court. Texido is consistently one of the best servers and does a great job of passing and digging. Texido has 39 service aces and 433 digs this year.

The biggest win of the season came over Slippery Rock.

“It was definitely our biggest win because they were undefeated until we played them,” junior setter Kiera Rebert said.

“Our toughest loss was to Clarion. We lost quick in three, and we couldn’t re-group fast enough,” she said.

Patton noted the toughest loss of the year, in his mind, was to Millersville.

“The team was very beatable, and we couldn’t finish out the game after winning the first set 25-9,” Patton said. “It was very frustrating and a low point in our season.”

Juniors Gretta Freyermuth and Becky Smith have been leading the attack at the net. Freyermuth has 189 kills on the year while Smith has 181.

Experience, mainly from the junior class, has led the team up until now. Rebert believes that this experience has made them play together.

“We have had a lot of playing time together, and it has allowed us to get used to each other’s playing styles on the floor,” Rebert said.

Heading into the postseason, the key will be to play like a team from start to finish and to constantly better the ball even when it isn’t a perfect first pass.

The Lakers have three home games left, Oct. 25 vs. Ursaline Nov. 4 vs. Edinboro and Nov. 5 vs. Gannon. Both games will begin at 7:05 p.m.