Lock Haven, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women’s volleyball team was picked to tie Indiana (Pa.) for third place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches Poll. The Lakers will play in the PSAC for the first time after leaving the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Mercyhurst went 18-14 in 2007 and returns six of seven starters from that squad. The Lakers were picked to finish behind California (Pa.), which got six of seven first-place votes, and Edinboro, which received the remaining first-place vote. Clarion and Slippery Rock tied for fifth in the West Division and Gannon was picked to finish last.
In the Eastern Division, Shippensburg received four first-place votes and edged Lock Haven, with three first-place votes. Kutztown was third, followed by West Chester, East Stroudsburg, Millersville, and Cheyney.
Seniors Lauren Kubinski and Jenna Matson return to lead the Lakers in 2008 after combining for 668 kills a year ago. Matson ranks fifth in Mercyhurst history in career kills and ninth in career digs. Kubinski ranks sixth in career kills and should finish in the top 10 in career blocks.
Mercyhurst opens the 2008 season at the Ferris State Tournament Aug. 29-30 and hosts Slippery Rock in its home and PSAC opener Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.