Mercyhurst Flashes Promise in Loss at Duquesne

In a closely contested match, Mercyhurst showed plenty of fight against a strong Duquesne squad, but ultimately fell in straight sets. The Lakers were right on the verge of taking the second set, holding a 23-22 lead before Duquesne rallied to claim the set and momentum in the match. Despite the outcome, the Lakers demonstrated resilience and determination, pushing Duquesne to the limit, especially in that thrilling second frame.

Paige Miller continued to be a focal point for Mercyhurst's offense, leading the team with 8 kills and stepping up in key moments to keep the Lakers within striking distance. Miller was supported by Andrea Zaric, who had a standout performance with 5 kills on an efficient .357 hitting percentage. Esra Akcay also made her presence felt, contributing 3 kills as the Lakers looked to spread their attack and challenge Duquesne’s defense.

In that pivotal second set, the Lakers showcased their grit, exchanging points with Duquesne throughout. A service ace from Alia Mastromatteo and kills from Zaric and Miller helped Mercyhurst stay neck-and-neck with the Dukes, eventually giving the Lakers a late lead and a chance to tie up the match. However, Duquesne showed plenty of fight and was able to shift the momentum. The Dukes rally was successful and they went on to secure the set 25-23. Unfortunately, it would be the closest the Lakers would get to securing a set for the entire match. With the loss of the set, Mercyhurst’s momentum stalled and they were unable to show the same offensive firepower in the third and final set.

Although Mercyhurst came up short, their ability to battle back and put pressure on a strong Duquesne team is a testament to their growth and potential moving forward. With a balanced team effort and several standout individual performances, the Lakers showed that they can compete at a high level. We’ll be looking forward to continuing to cover their first season as they approach NEC conference play.