Erie Community College, State University of New York

The Erie Community College (6-1) volleyball team faced match point at Mercyhurst Northeast Thursday evening before rallying for a 3-2 (23-25, 24-26, 26-24, 25-18, 15-13) win, and then came away with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-19) sweep of Cuyahoga Community College.

Mercyhurst led 24-23 in the third game before Lindsey Harmon’s kill from the right side tied the game. The Kats took the final two point of that game and continued on to win the conference opener.

Sophomore Belinda Hernon led the team with 21 kills on the day. Freshmen Alex DiGiore and Anelys Roig had 31 and 21 digs, respectively. Freshman Julia Matters finished with 13 service aces.

Freshman setter Katie Boxler paced the offense with 81 assists.

“Katie made great decisions with the ball today and makes all of our hitters better with the consistency of her sets,” said head coach Craig Starzynski. “Our offense was fluid and precise today because of her play.”

With six wins less than a week into the season, Erie already has matched the win totals from a year ago. The Kats will visit conference-rival Niagara County Community College Tuesday, September 8.