ERIE, Pa. – The Holy Cross volleyball team was back in action during the opening day of the Mercyhurst Invitational and fell to the host Lakers 3-0 Friday evening at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The loss was the fourth of the season for the Crusaders while the victory was the first of the year for the Lakers (1-4).

SET SCORES:
Lakers 3, Crusaders 0 (14-25, 23-25, 15-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Holy Cross took their first lead 3-2 in the opening set following an ace from sophomore defensive specialist Alana Whitwell. Ahead by one, four in a row from Mercyhurst built the lead to 11-6 early on. The four straight points were part of a 9-2 outburst as the Lakers doubled up the Crusaders 16-8. Junior outside hitter Lily Eigner brought her squad within seven, but the hosts won the first set 25-14.
• The Crusaders leveled the second set 5-5 when freshman setter Emilia Powderly found classmate, middle blocker Kyla Harris in the middle for a kill. Two straight mashes off the swing of junior outside hitter Taliah Lee put her team in front at 9-8. The Lakers outscored the Crusaders 6-1 over the next couple of serves to regain the margin at 14-10. Holy Cross got a pair of Mercyhurst errors to bring the score to a one point game, 15-14. Down 18-14, Holy Cross tied the game 19-19 when Eigner converted a kill from the left side and again 20-20 as freshman middle blocker Isa Glover and classmate, outside hitter Ava White teamed up for a block. Three straight by the hosts put them on the verge of set point. Lee's 10th kill of the match and a Crusader block made the score 24-23. Mercyhurst scored the final point for the 25-23 set two win.
• Mercyhurst built an early 5-0 advantage in the third set. Their run expanded to 9-1 early in the set. They opened up a 10 point 14-4 edge before taking the match.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Lee had a match-high 10 kills and Glover posted a contest-best five blocks.
• Lee has recorded double-digit kills in three straight games.
• Mercyhurst outhit Holy Cross .406-to-.150 in the match.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders wrap up their weekend on Saturday, Sept. 6 with a pair of contests against St. Peter's (2-2) at 12:30 p.m. and Mercyhurst at 2 p.m.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross volleyball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossVB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossvb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Volleyball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross