ERIE, Pa.- The 2012 Mercyhurst volleyball team had one of the best seasons in program history, earning its third NCAA Tournament berth in the last five seasons. The Lakers will say goodbye to one of the most successful senior classes they've ever had, but Coach Ryan Patton is optimistic the team can build off the momentum of a 25-win season.
 
In 2012, Mercyhurst lost its season-opening match and then reeled off 12 straight victories, including a win at then-14^th-ranked Ferris State on August 31. After dropping five of six, the Lakers bounced back with 11 consecutive wins. In that stretch, Mercyhurst swept Gannon and beat California (Pa.) and Clarion. All three of those teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
 
“The winning streak after opening the PSAC at 1-5 was the longest stretch of high level volleyball in my time here,” said Patton. “That our team did it when we absolutely had to is a highlight in my career, and probably in the program's history.”
 
On November 9, the Lakers beat Indiana (Pa.) in five sets, giving Patton his 134^th win at Mercyhurst, tying him with Elaine Ruggiero for the most in program history.
 
The strength of those victories allowed the Lakers to play in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament for the first time since 2008. Mercyhurst was then selected to play in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009. Patton's squad played valiantly against rival Gannon, eventually falling in four games to end the season.
 
“We didn't make the run we wanted in the postseason and were probably only a point here or a small break from a better ending,” said Patton. “While we didn't make or get them against a very good team, there is absolutely no shame in the effort we gave or the way we performed.”
 
At the end of the year, three Lakers were honored by the PSAC. Elyse Texido was named Western Division Defensive Athlete of the Year, while Becky Smith and Becky Leusch were both chosen for the Western Division Second Team. Texido became the first Laker to be selected to the PSAC West First Team since Jenna Matson in 2008.
 
Texido set a school record with 666 digs in 2012. She became the first libero to be named PSAC Western Division Player of the Week since 2008. Her 5.16 digs per game ranked 22^nd in the nation and she added 37 aces. Leusch totaled 343 kills and hit .243 on the year. Smith was one of the top blockers in the region, totaling 124 blocks. She added 248 kills and hit .244 in 2012.
 
Kiera Rebert paced the team with 996 assists and 39 aces. She compiled 272 digs as well. Amanda Balasko posted 239 kills and 304 digs, while Camille Alvarez recorded 197 kills and 310 digs.
 
Mercyhurst won its most matches since 1993 and defeated every other team in the PSAC Western Division for the first time since joining the conference prior to the 2008 campaign.
 
“We had some very good individual performances this season - highlighted by Elyse's year long play - but the collective effort that this group made since the end of the 2011 season is what drove this team. The players willed this to happen and set our program's trajectory towards many future successes,” said Patton.