ERIE, Pa. - This weekend marks the beginning of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division action for the Gannon volleyball team as the Lady Knights welcome California (Pa.) and Indiana (Pa.) to the Hammermill Center. Gannon will face the Vulcans Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on the Crimson Hawks Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
Live Statistics: Click Here
 
Gannon Lady Knights
Head Coach: Matt Darling
Overall Record: 12-2
PSAC Record: 4-0, tied for first
Team Leaders
Points: Lauren Sazama - 5.70
Kills: Lauren Sazama - 4.82
Blocks: Emily Carver - 1.22
Assists: Megan Wendel - 10.72
Digs: Lauren Sazama - 3.82
Aces: Lauren Sazama - 0.76
 

• The Lady Knights enter this weekend having won seven straight matches. Gannon swept the competition at both the PSAC-WVIAC Crossvoer and the PSAC East-West Crossover.
• Lauren Sazama is having arguably the best year of her career in her final season. The senior has won three straight PSAC Western Division Athlete of the Week awards and is ranked tops in the country in points per set (5.83), third in kills per set (4.82) and eighth in aces per set (0.76)
• In her first season as the starting setter, Megan Wendel is ranked 19th nationally in assists per set, dishing out an average of 10.72.
• As a team, the Lady Knights have been efficient at the net this season, ranking eighth in the country in hitting percentage (.280) and 16th in blocks per set (2.46)

 
California (Pa.) Vulcans (Friday, September 28 - 7 p.m.)
Head Coach: Peter Letourneau
Overall Record: 13-2
PSAC Record: 3-0, tied for third
Team Leaders
Kills: Brandy Harris - 3.34
Blocks: Meghan Franz - 1.07
Assists: Abbey Freund - 7.06
Digs: Molly Delany - 3.93
Aces: Taylor Melidona - 0.58
 

• The Vulcans are living up to their preseason pick as tops in the conference, holding a league-best 13 wins.
• California (Pa.) has lost only two matches this season, one coming against #19 Eckard at the Rollins (Fla.) Tournament. The other came against Wayne State (Mich.)
• The Vulcans hold a win over a nationally ranked opponent this season, knocking off #22 Rollins in the second match of the season.
• California (Pa.) also holds a five-set win this season over Hillsdale (Mich.) The Chargers reached the national semifinals last season.
• Gannon holds a slight 13-12 edge in the all-time series. The two squads split the regular season series last year, but California (Pa.) had the last say, knocking the Lady Knights out of the PSAC tournament.

 
Indiana (Pa.) Crimson Hawks (Saturday, September 29, 2 p.m.)
Head Coach: Zack Shaver
Overall Record: 13-4
PSAC Record: 3-0. tied for third
Team Leaders
Kills: Sarah Smiley - 3.10
Blocks: Carissa Miara - 1.00
Assists: Sarah Alman - 8.90
Digs: Kelly Barnes - 4.69
Aces: Lauren Hester - 0.57
 

• The Crimson Hawks have bounced back from a losing season (11-22) last season with an impressive 13-4 start to the 2012 season.
• IUP has suffered losses to defending Atlantic Regional champion Wheeling Jesuit, University of Charleston, Malone and Cedarville this season.
• Like Gannon and California (Pa.) the Crimson Hawks cruised through the first PSAC East-West Crossover Tournament with wins over Kutztown, Cheyney and West Chester.
• Indiana (Pa.) ranks 17th nationally in digs per set (17.8) and 31st in aces per set (2.09).
• The Crimson Hawk offense features nine players with at least 35 kills this season.
• Gannon holds a 28-8 all-time record against Indiana (Pa.) following a split of the regular-season series in 2011.