Many players made big contributions in a balanced attack on Tuesday night as the Gannon women's volleyball team beat Mercyhurst in four sets to improve to 3-0 in the PSAC West.

The Golden Knights won by scores of 25-9, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19 at Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Coach Matt Darling's team improved to 9-4 overall and is in first place in the PSAC West, one-half game ahead of 2-0 Clarion.

Mercyhurst dropped to 2-10 overall and 0-3 in the conference.

Sam Deinek (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon East) and Hailey Koch (Littleton, Col./Dakota Ridge) each put away 13 kills for the Knights while Madde Blake (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) added 11 kills. Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey) handed out 41 assists, and Emma Hall (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) contributed 28 digs to lead the defense.

Lara Toruner (Istanbul, Turkey/Terakki Foundation) added 14 digs and Anja Vranic (Belgrade, Serbia) had 13, while Blake had another strong all-around showing with 12 digs and a team-high four aces as she paced Gannon with 16 points for the second straight match.

"We feel good about a win on a night when both teams were hot and cold," Darling said. "In a rivalry match, on the road, getting a win—no matter what it looks like—is the goal.  We're happy to come home with the W."
 
Gannon will play the second of four consecutive road matches on Saturday at 3 p.m. when it visits Edinboro.