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& ONLINE
Former Laker
plays at AA
level
Page 7
Freshmen dos
and donts at
the Hurst
Page 4
What are your summer plans?
22% Attempting to find a job.
14% Absolutely nothing.
14% Sleeping under a bridge while
I work at an unpaid internship.
8% Traveling across the globe.
ONLINE POLL RESULTS
42% Wrangling llamas.
VOL. 87 No. 1
9/ 11 / 20133
F R E E
Merciad

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MORE ON
PAGE 3
Hurst evives recycling
NEWS
Page 2 September 11, 2013
Tc Iearn mcre abcut Army Reserve cppcrtunities,
visit us at carmy.ccm/v73B
Page 3 September 11, 2013 NEWS
Evive bottles refresh campus
As summer vacation ended and
students returned to our university,
there were a number of changes that
were evident around campus.
One important change that sup-
ports Mercyhursts continuing effort
to promote a more sustainable
campus environment, was the instal-
lation of its rst Evive Station. The
rst station is located on the second
oor of Old Main, with plans for
installing many more around campus.
This addition represents a way to
decrease the use of bottled water on
campus by providing a station that
both lls and sanitizes reusable bot-
tles.
The Evive unit has two sections.
The rst section will ll any size
reusable bottle with chilled, ltered
water. The other section is designed
exclusively for the Evive bottles. This
section sanitizes the Evive bottle by
using UV light and then lls it with
ltered, chilled water. While this
90 second process is occurring the
stations screen will display campus
news, ask you survey questions and
display other useful information.
The Evive bottles are sold at the
Mercyhurst Bookstore and on the
manufacturers website.
Student response to the Evive bot-
tles has been positive. Art education
student Megan OPolka believes the
concept motivates people to join the
initiative.
Ive been using the Evive sta-
tion since it arrived on campus this
summer. I think it is a cool concept
and I denitely drank more water
because of it. I hope they add more
stations around campus throughout
the year, she said.
These bottles are made of BPA
free plastic and have Passive RFID
Tags on the bottom. The tags allow
you access to the sanitizing section
of the station. Evive also has a smart
phone app that enables you to track
your average consumption of water
as well as the estimate of the number
of plastic bottles that you have not
used.
The Evive system is clearly a
better alternative to using and recy-
cling plastic water bottles.
Some students, however, consider
the idea to be somewhat silly.
Junior Gary Loo said, it is a very
ridiculous idea. Its nice, but its just a
huge water fountain.
Plans have been made to add
more stations to the Mercyhurst
campus throughout the year, starting
with three new stations, tentatively
dated for installation by the end of
November at the latest.
For more information on the
bottle system, visit www.evivestation.
By Zach Dorsch & Ryan
Kushner
Managing editor & Staff writer
Welcome Week ushers
in new academic year
Welcome Week is a week set for stu-
dents coming back to campus to take
the rst few days that they have off
before classes begin and enjoy events
that are sponsored by various organiza-
tions on campus.
This years welcome week included
events such as the Blacklight Bash, day
of service projects, Toga Party, Minute-
To-Win-It, Casino Night and the very
anticipated Hypnotic Intoxication.
A lot of the Welcome Week events
are heavily attended by the incoming
freshmen, but most of the events are
also open to the upperclassmen.
Student Activities Council Chair Vic-
toria Lewis could not have been happier
with how the activities went that were
sponsored by the SAC. Welcome Week
was a huge success this year, and we
had a ton of energy from the freshman
class and also the upperclassmen, said
Lewis.
Along with the major events,
the incoming freshman students sit
through various presentations about
getting involved in campus life as well
as becoming the best well-rounded
student that they can be. Following
Welcome Week is the annual Campus
Involvement Fair.
All RSCOs and organizations on
campus set up a table in and outside of
the student union that give the oppor-
tunity for all students on campus to
walk around and see what the campus
has to offer to students looking to get
involved.
Freshmen use Welcome Week as a
way to connect and form friendships
with other students.
Freshman Taylor Rider, used the
week of welcoming to defuse the
intimidation that some may feel at the
beginning of college. I was honestly
really intimidated coming into college,
but having a schedule of really fun and
great events kept my mind off of being
away from home and made the transi-
tion much easier and more fun than I
ever imagined, said Rider. I met all
of my current friends through my Wel-
come Week activities.
Welcome Week is always full of free
events for new students and existing
students on campus to take a short
break and relax before the pressure of
school begins.
Often times, there are constant give-
aways from the various organizations
that work to extend their reach to the
student body.
We love to see everyone on campus
enjoying themselves and having a good
time, said Lewis.
Welcome Week is an annual happen-
ing and is open to all students as a wel-
come back to campus.
By Garrett Erwin
A&E editor
Students and faculty alike have
reacted positively to the Evive
bottle system.
Sami Rapp photo
Service project
helps community
Friday, Aug. 30
Theft
Lot #5
Referred for discipline
Sunday, Sept. 1
Criminal Mischief
Lot #7
Referred for discipline
Thursday, Sept. 5
Harassment
Lewis Ave.
Referred for discipline
Mercyhurst
University
Police & Safety
Police Log
Saturday, Sept. 7
Liquor law violation
3939 Briggs Ave.
Referred for discipline
The freshmen class of 2017
started off their experience at Mer-
cyhurst with a service project on
Sept. 3, which involved volunteering
at 25 nonprot agencies across Erie.
These jobs entailed many types
of service, ranging from cleaning up
Presque Isle beaches, handy work at
many area farms and aiding Eries
senior citizens by spending time
helping the elderly in local nursing
homes with technology.
Though these jobs are simple
in nature, the large scale efforts of
the freshman class were gauged to
have $30,000 value equivalency from
volunteer time. Through the ser-
vice project, 1,500 hours of service
were provided through the 750 vol-
unteers (including staff, chaperones
and Laker Leaders that participated),
over 2,000 pounds of produce picked
from Mercyhursts farm for Second
Harvest Food Bank of Northwest-
ern Pennsylvania and over eight trash
bags worth of garbage were removed
from Presque Isle beaches.
In order to reach out to the com-
munitys elderly, volunteers were sent
to local nursing homes and were
tasked with aiding the residents with
any technological difculties. Prob-
lems ranged from difculty with
the television remote to inability to
use certain applications on the latest
iPhone were short work for Mer-
cyhurst freshmen and provided an
outlet for assisting and socializing
with Eries senior citizens.
When asked about the students
general reaction to the service proj-
ect, Director of Service-Learning
Colin Hurley stated, The students
were able to learn the joy of ser-
vice and the most universal reaction
of the students was regret that they
were only able to give two hours of
service.
For more information on the
freshman service project and other
service learning opportunities, con-
tact Colin Hurley at churley@mercy-
hurst.edu.
By Will Bickelmann
Contributing writer
FEATURES September 11, 2013 Page 4
Fair encourages students to participate in various clubs
Students at Mercyhurst, both old
and new alike, were given the chance
to become a part of the many
groups and clubs on campus. On
Friday, Sept. 6, the Campus Involve-
ment Fair took place outside of the
Student Union.
This was the rst year the Campus
Involvement Fair took place on the
rst Friday of the year. In years past,
the fair usually occurred after the rst
few weeks of the academic school
year. According to Leadership and
Outreach Coordinator Kristy Jami-
son, this change was made so that
incoming students could be involved
in the various RSCOs from the very
beginning of the year. She said it was
also made so that RSCOs could start
the year off right, allow for a longer
programming period, and so students
could create some early connections.
Jamison had been given the job
of coordinating the fair two weeks
before the fair was scheduled to
happen. Campus Involvement Center
Director Sarah Allen was also another
person who was responsible for put-
ting on the Campus Involvement Fair.
The goal of the fair is to get stu-
dents connected to the campus com-
munity outside of the classroom
setting. It is also used as a way for
students to meet others with similar
interests and show off the vibrant
student life on campus, according to
Jamison.
In addition to the many student
clubs and organizations being repre-
sented at the Campus Involvement
Fair, non-prot local services from
all around the Erie area had booths
representing themselves at the fair.
There were approximately 36 local
Erie services at the fair. Director
of Service Learning Colin Hurley
was in charge of coordinating the
appearances of the local services at
the fair.
The Campus Involvement Center
believes that the Campus Involve-
ment Fair went very well. Jamison
says that a good majority of the
RSCOs representing themselves
at the fair were able to get a good
number of potential new members
for their individual clubs and orga-
nizations.
The good weather we got that day
really seemed to help a lot too, Jami-
son said .
If you would like to know more
about the many RSCOs on campus,
please visit the Campus Involvement
Center located on the top oor of the
Student Union. You may also contact
Kristy Jamison at (814)-824-2388 or
kjamison@mercyhurst.edu and Sarah
Allen at (814)-824-2089 or sallen@
mercyhurst.edu.
By Dan Tarr
Features editor
Students, both old and new, ran and visited booths at this past Fridays Campus Involvement Fair.
Selina Bowe photo
Dos and donts for freshmen
With the start of a new year, an
incoming class of freshmen arrives at
the Mercyhurst campus ready to begin
the four-year adventure that will kickstart
their careers.
But, not all of them will make the
most out of the four years, and the next
thing they know, theyre picking up a
diploma, wondering where their college
years went. Heres how to avoid that.
Involve yourself in campus activities.
Not only is it a great resume builder, but
it also helps you meet people that share
interests. There are a variety of clubs
around campus, so it is unlikely to not
nd a club that revolves around at least
one of your interests. There are also
major-specic clubs, which allow you to
meet people who will be taking one or
more classes with you in the course of
the following four years and serve as a
great networking activity.
One of the most important tools for
the classes you will be taking is going
to them. People will tell you not to, but
the best way to succeed in your college
courses is by actually attending classes.
Plus, it saves you time on studying for
tests since you already know what was
covered in class.
Dont give into peer pressure. College
is a time of experimentation and self-ex-
ploration, but it should always remain
clear that you should not do something
if you do not feel comfortable.
Most importantly, dont do anything
just because someone tells you you
should or its cool. Not only could you
get in trouble, but it could have a neg-
ative impact on your life. Theres noth-
ing wrong with saying no; people will
understand and it wont tarnish your rep-
utation in any way, shape or form.
Dont carry a full backpack on week-
end nights when youre not going to the
library or any other place to study.
Dont feel the necessity to travel in
large groups anywhere. Whether youre
going to Egan for dinner or to the park
for some healthy fun, its unnecessary
and it clutters pathways.
Its perfectly ne to get food from
the dining halls by yourself. It allows
you to relax, think about stuff or do
your classwork and it removes the
whole social expectation from the
eating process.
Try your hardest to make friends.
Your college years are allegedly the
best years of your life and they allow
you to meet people from all walks
of life and all places from the world.
Making friends helps you broaden
your perspective, gives you a support
system and makes it convenient for
those lazy days where you just want to
watch movies with someone.
Last, but not least, dont let these
four years go to waste. Enjoy your life
to the fullest. Have fun. Get an A in
every class if you wish. Just make sure
that when you graduate, your mem-
ories of college are lled with great
memories instead of what-ifs.
By Juan Mendez
News editor
Freshmen are encouraged not to wear lanyards around their necks
or shoulders, unless they want to stand out.
Sami Rapp photo
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Page 5
September 11, 2013
The Cashore Marionettes are
known internationally for incred-
ible talent and engineering skills.
Now Mercyhurst University has the
opportunity to host not only one,
but two shows in the Walker Recital
Hall. The Cashore Marionettes,
created by Joseph Cashore, bring
enlightening themes to the stage.
Jamie Grady, the director of Mer-
cyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture
says, Many of the pieces are whim-
sical and funny while others can be a
bit more moving and thought provok-
ing.
Cashores interest in marionettes
began at a young age. He recalls
seeing a colorful pirate hanging from
the ceiling in a store he was in with
his parents when he was about 11
years old. Later in life, he studied at
University of Notre Dame, graduat-
ing with a bachelor in ne arts and
continued to study portrait and gure
painting at Pennsylvania Academy of
Fine Arts. Cashore designs, molds
and paints all of his marionettes.
There is great detail put into his work
and the range of movement he can
portray is truly amazing.
The Cashore Marionettes were
brought here by Gradys interest
in the art of puppetry after work-
ing in Atlanta with the Center for
Puppetry Arts. It wasnt until he
was in New York City that he saw
the Cashore Marionettes and knew
they would be perfect to bring to
Mercyhurst. Grady further explains
that he thinks everybody who sees
the show will love it. There are no
spoken words but the shows bring a
theme of spirit and what it means to
be alive through the movement of
both humans and animals.
The show is being performed on
Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
There will be a pre-show event
on Sept. 14 before the 2 p.m. show.
At the pre-show there will be face
painting provided by Erie Clown
College, music by WMCE, an art
show and sale by local artist Heather
Cash and Erie Experience Museum
will be playing movement games with
children. Tickets are $20 for adults,
$17 for senior citizens, and $14 for
students. The show is appropriate for
all ages and all are expected to enjoy
the rare art of puppetry!
For more information, contact the
MIAC Box Ofce at (814) 824-3000.
By Sam Beckas
Staff writer
Ellie Gouldings career as a pop
star started out rather slow. Her rst
hit single, Lights, arose in popular-
ity a whole year after it was released
in the UK. Once Lights caught on,
the whole world fell in love with this
British sweetheart. With the release
of her third album, Halcyon Days,
Ellie continues to show the world
why she deserves to be in the same
ranks of other big name pop stars.
Halcyon Days can be viewed as
a double EP. The rst album is a
re-release of Ellies second album,
Halcyon. The second album, I have
dubbed Days, is chalked full of
new material from Goulding. Hal-
cyon is viewed by many as a very
dark album. The themes of most
songs talk about missed chances with
love, or future romance that will be
worth the wait.
The one thing I like about this
album is that it doesnt feel like a re-re-
lease. Halcyon now feels like a sampler
of what Halcyon Days was going to
contain. This album truly shows the
full potential of Ellies ability to dabble
in almost any genre she wants.
Songs can range from Halcyon
that features rhythmic acoustic folk
guitars with electronic back beats
to her newest number one single
Burn. This pulls heavily from elec-
tric dance music, a genre in which
Ellie features greatly in the second
half of Halcyon Days with songs
like Stay Awake and Flashlights,
featuring big name producers.
Though this album may seem
like a lot of commitment to some,
the length of the album is 28 songs
long and spans almost two hours,
it should not be a deterrent. This
album is fully worth it with a mix
of familiar tracks you have already
grown to love, assorted with several
new refreshing tracks.
By Zach Dorsch
Managing Editor
Cashore Marionettes will per-
form on Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7
p.m. in the Walker Recital Hall.
miac.mercyhurst.edu
Ellie Goulding lights
up with Halcyon Days
Marionettes set to string in crowd
O
n
l
i
n
e
Full list of events can be found
on the MIAC website
View upcoming performances at:
miac.mercyhurst.edu
www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu/
arts_entertainment

ONE FOR YOU

AND A FRIEND
Tired of the crowded Student Center on campus?
Dont want every Tom, Jane and Harry from class
with their eyes on you while you work out? Cant
log the pool time you need?
For WAY LESS than your monthly data plan, you
and a friend can join the YMCA of Greater Erie!
With the Glenwood Park Y location near the
campus of Mercyhurst, the Y is your one-stop
shop for popular group classes like: Bootcamp, X-
Bike, PiYo, Turbo Kick, ZUMBA and Holistic
programs such as QiGong, Reiki, Yoga, and more.
Plus, theres a Massage & Energy Center right in
our Y!
We have the latest cardio and strength training
equipment, personal training, sports and rec
leagues, swimming pools AND, opportunities for
community service, work-study jobs and
internships at the Y, we are building your body
AND your resume.
Plus, when you are a member of one Y branch,
you can use them ALL like something at one
then go for it!
Theres FREE WIFI in our lobby too!
YMCA YOUNG ADULT MEMBERSHIP BOGO
GLENWOOD PARK Y located across from the Erie Zoo

YOUNG ADULT BOGO OFFER

(18-24)!
Buy one 6 month young adult
membership and get one free Sept. 1-
Sept. 15 thats just $16/month for
each of you! * Told you it was less than
your data plan!
If you have CoventryCares insurance
ask us how you can earn a FREE
membership!
ymcaerie.org or find us on facebook
search branch name
The Glenwood Park Y is conveniently
located on an EMTA bus route and has a
bike rack.
Ellie Gouldings newest album,
Halcyon Days shows why she
deserves to be in the same
ranks as other pop artists.
www.infectiousmagazine.com
OPINION
September 11, 2013
Page 6
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad or
the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be emailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Editors
Mathew Anderson
Zach Dorsch
Juan Mendez
Daniel Tarr
Samantha Bante
Garrett Erwin
Leann Krysiak
Nicole Lawrence
Sami Rapp
Ethan Johns
Will DeFeo
Bill Welch
Positions
Editor-in-Chief
Managing Editor
News Editor
Features Editor
Sports Editor
A&E Editor
Copy Editor
Graphics
Photo Editor
Web Editor
Ad Manager
Adviser

@mercyhurst.edu
editormerciad
managingmerciad
newsmerciad
featuremerciad
sportsmerciad
entertainmentmerciad
copymerciad
photomerciad
photomerciad
ejohns89
admerciad
wwelch
The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
University. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception
of finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is
(814) 824-2376.
The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
letters to box PH 485 or via email at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
If you dont want it printed . . . dont let it happen.
Miley Cyrus Cant Stop, but she needs to
In this day and age, anyone could
come up with a thousand and one
ways to become famous. Through
websites like YouTube and other
social media, you dont need to have
extreme talent to be famous.
All you need is a camera and some
creativity and the stage sets itself. It
can be moderate or outrageous, as
long as its all in good taste. No one
relayed this message to Miley Cyrus.
In what could only be described
as the beginning of a downward
spiral, Cyrus has been making a
series of career choices that show
how mature and grown she is
now that shes left the fame of her
Hannah Montana days behind.
These actions, although meant
to symbolize her growth, have only
served to ridicule herself in the
media.
A couple of facts I need to clar-
ify before I go on, only for the pur-
pose of expressing my vantage point:
I am a fan of Miley Cyrus and her
music. Im guilty on 25 charges of
enjoying and listening to both We
Cant Stop and Wrecking Ball on
repeat.
However, my fanaticism did not
prevent the wave of embarrassment
that took over after watching both of
her music videos.
In a time period during which every-
one can become famous for being
themselves, cultural appropriation and
over-sexualization are not the way to go.
Im not saying that people are not
allowed to do as they wish, but there
should be a level of taste going into the
nal product.
Miley Cyrus performing lewd acts
in front of millions of people
teenagers and children included in
the audience with a foam nger is
neither art nor tasteful.
Miley Cyrus shedding all her
clothes as she rides a wrecking ball in
the music video for Wrecking Ball
is not an artistic nude.
Its simply Miley Cyrus being
naked in front of a camera while
licking some seemingly unsanitary
construction work equipment.
Although she is free to be who
she wants to be and do the things she
wants to do, there should always be
a concern and a purpose of artistic
revelation in her work.
Nothing should be done for the
sake of selling sex. Miley has the
talent to sell the songs, which are
good, without the tasteless videos
that accompany it.
Running out of puns, I have to say
that the only thing that should come
in like a wrecking ball in her career
is her parents, telling her to stop.
By Juan Mendez
News Editor
This academic year, Mercy-
hurst has installed an allergy-free
station at Egan Dining Hall.
It is good to see the school
is making accommodations for
students with food allergies.
On another good note, Mer-
cyhurst climbed from number 47
to number 37 in the 2014 edition
of Americas Best Colleges,
released by U.S. News & World
Report.
Although, Mercyhurst has put
a lot of focus on our university
status, the sign marking the west
entrance to campus still bears the
old college logo.
The iconic and historic gates
at the entrance to Mercyhurst
fell victim over the summer to a
branding effort that was not nec-
essary. Does anyone not know
this is Mercyhurst University
when they enter the campus?
Have an opinion? Wanna get paid?
Write for The Merciad
Email editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
New water system rocks
If you havent heard about Evive
yet, youve been missing out. Over the
summer, Mercyhurst installed a new
water distributing system on the second
oor of Old Main, located near Preston.
I heard about this new concept from a
few friends who had been on campus
over the summer, who all received free
Evive water bottles.
The bottles are $15 and are available
in the Mercyhurst Bookstore, across
from the Starbucks bar. Although you
may think that $15 is too much for a
water bottle, youll certainly make your
money back after a few times of lling
the water bottle for free at the station.
After you buy the bottle, you go to
evivestation.com and set up your bottle
from there, using a personalized code
and choosing your own pin number. The
website will give you another number to
verify your bottle at the Evive Station.
Once at the station, touch your bottle
to the machine, and itll automatically
detect the chip in the bottom of the
bottle. Verify your pin number, and
youre ready to start enjoying free, puri-
ed water. The water from the Evive
Station is chilled perfectly. This UV l-
tered, perfectly chilled water goes directly
from the machine to your water bottle.
But wait, theres more. This station
not only provides healthy drinking water,
but it also will clean and sanitize your
water bottle for free. Enter your pin
number and a hydraulic-controlled door
will open on the front of the machine,
revealing a compartment that will clean
and rell your bottle in the same process.
Not only is the Evive machine awe-
some to use, but youll also be doing a
little more to help the Earths ecosystem
by reducing your plastic consumption.
By Mathew Anderson
Editor-in-Chief
Former Mercyhurst student Jamie
Walczak, a member of the Cincinnati
Reds organization, has been selected
to play in the Arizona Fall League for
the Glendale Desert Dogs in the fall
2013 season.
Walczak played mostly outeld
during his time at Mercyhurst Univer-
sity from 2006-2009. He was a stand-
out of player, and only continues to
progress.
During his time here, he had 76 hits
during his senior season in 2009, and
currently is tied with Zak Blair and
Shane Latshaw for the programs all-
time record. He did not pitch until his
senior season and served as the Lakers
closer that year.
In 17 appearances out of the bull-
pen, Walczak went 4-3 with ve saves
as well.
He started the season with Cincin-
natis Single-A afliate and then moved
to the Bakerseld Blaze of the Califor-
nia League.
The former Laker, standing at
6-foot-2-inches tall, has been making
his way through the minor leagues
each year since he has been signed.
Since appearing in Double-A for
the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the
Southern League the former Laker has
pitched in 22 games.
Walczak was drafted by the Cincin-
nati Reds in the 15th round during the
2009 Major League Baseball First-Year
Player Draft.
He now plays at the double-A level
after starting his professional career
with Billings of the Pioneer League
right after signing with the organiza-
tion.
Walczak is one of three former
Lakers currently afliated with Major
League organizations. The other two
are David Lough who is an outelder
for the Kansas City Royals and Zak
Blair plays for the Arizona League
Cubs at the rookie level.
The Arizona Fall Leagues rst
game of the season is scheduled to
take place on Oct 8.
The Desert Dogs roster holds
these minor league teams: Chicago
White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los
Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and
Minnesota Twins.
Also, there are six teams in the
Arizona Fall League: the Scottsdale
Scorpions, Mesa Solar Sox, Salt City
Rafters, Phoenix Desert Dogs, Peoria
Javelinas and Surprise Saguaros.
September 3, 2008
SPORTS
September 11, 2013 Page 7
Former Laker Walczak selected to play
By Samantha Bante
Sports Editor
The Mercyhurst volleyball team traveled to West Virginia and
played four matches this passed weekend.
Contributed photo
Womens volleyball tries for PSAC tourney
In the 2012 season the womens
volleyball team went to the NCAA
Tournament for the rst time since
its 2009 season. This year, the Lakers
are looking to build even more on
one of the best seasons in the pro-
grams history.
Losing a total of seven seniors, and
gaining eight freshmen, the womens
volleyball team is looking to take this
years season to a whole new level.
The freshmen are all adapting
really well to our program and col-
legiate volleyball in general. said
senior Sarah Vick.
The transition from high school
to college sports is really tough, with
the higher level of play and bigger
time commitment, but they are all
doing great. All of the freshmen
work really hard and they really have
been pushing all of us returners in
the gym, every day.
This past weekend the Lakers vis-
ited Fairmount State and captured a
3-1 record during the tournament and
started off with yet another successful
season.
We talked a lot about our goals
during preseason, and are focusing
our goals on improving as a team
every single practice and every single
game. said Vick.
We hope to have another great
season like we did last year, but our
goals this year are more centered on
the little things than the end result;
stuff we do every day and utilizing
every minute of gym time.
If we continue to improve as
much as we have been these past few
weeks, we will have an extremely suc-
cessful season, Vick said.
Some of the returning players to
look out for are junior Camille Alvarez
and senior Sarah Vick with combined
kills of 393 during last years season.
Along with sophomore Kelly Vitt who
had 301 assists and Nicole Texido with
262 digs.
This year we are more of a block-
ing team than last year. We have a lot
of height and are making blocking
more of a focus for our defense, Vick
said.
Last year the Lakers ended their
season with 25 wins, the most the
program has had since 1993. The
team also had wins over every team is
the Pennsylvania State Athletic Con-
ference (PSAC) Western Division.
We have some new skills and
other technical volleyball things we
are focusing this year, but we are also
working on our mental toughness.
Volleyball is such a game of momen-
tum and so far we have been doing
really well with keeping our heads
where we need to be, Vick said.
The Lakers next match will be a
tournament hosted in Finlay, Ohio.
from Sept. 13-15, against University
of Southern Indiana, Rockhurst Uni-
versity, and University of Findlay.
By Samantha Bante
Sports Editor
Former Laker Jamie Walczak, shown pitching for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at the AA level.
Contributed photo
The freshmen are
all adapting really
well to our program.
Senior Sarah Vick.

SPORTS
Page 8 September 11, 2013
Field hockey aims for PSAC tourney bid
In 2012, the Mercyhurst eld
hockey team captured a total of ve
home game wins, setting itself up for
a strong 2013 season.
With losing only three players,
Meghan Richards, Jessica Richards,
and Tessa Ramsdell and gaining three
freshmen, the Lakers are off to a solid
start to this years season.
Weve gained three talented fresh-
men. Theyre tting in perfectly with
our team, and theyre quickly adjusting
to Division II athletics, said junior
Marissa Faso.
Emily Burns, Alex Albright, and
Kimberly Pumm are going to have
an amazing freshman season. Theyve
worked so hard during preseason and
deserve to show off their skills in the
coming games.
Some of the returning players to
look out for are junior Marissa Faso
who lead the team with nine goals and
total of 23 points during last years
season. Senior Meghan Smith added
on an additional six goals, while soph-
omore Cayla Slade scored ve times.
Weve been doing extensive condi-
tioning, as well as ne tuning our stick
skills, said Faso.
Team systems have been a reoccur-
ring theme for every practice to be sure
we are ready for anything in the 2013
season. We had the opportunity to be
coached by Moses So from England.
He has helped bring us to that next
level with special skills that he has been
taught at the international level. Moses
promised to come back when we make
it to PSACs at the end of our season,
said Faso.
With a 2-4 loss during the season
opener against Millersville, the Lakers
are holding strong and are ready for
another unforgettable season.
Three-a-days are always stressful
and tough but the team bonds best
under tough conditions that we get
through together. Our team has come
a long way since Aug. 18. Weve learned
two new complex defensive and offen-
sive systems, assimilated the three
freshmen into our team dynamic, and
our green versus white game proved
we are prepared for the 2013 season,
said Faso.
This season the Lakers have nine
games scheduled against teams ranked
in the National Field Hockey Coaches
Association (NFHCA) Preseason Poll.
The Lakers next home match will be
on Sept. 13 against Limestone College
at 2 pm.
By Samantha Bante
Sports Editor
Field hockey was voted eighth in the PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll for the 2013 season.
Contributed Photo