Box Score ERIE, PA - After winning nine straight matches against NCAA Division II opponents, the Daemen Wildcats' unblemished record in such matches was snapped today in a five-set defeat at Mercyhurst (25-23, 12-25, 25-27, 25-18, 12-15).  The loss, Daemen's fourth in its' last five outings after having their overall 12-match winning streak halted this past weekend, send the Wildcats to 17-9 on the season while Mercyhurst improves to 21-6.

Daemen got 22 kills from junior outside hitter Jenn Karan (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park).  Senior Joanna Fretthold (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) and sophomore Lindsey Nowak (Hamburg, NY/Immaculata) added 12 and 11 kills, respectively.

However, Daemen's inconsistency in their attack proved costly today.  After opening the match with a hard-fought 25-23 win in set one, displaying a team attack percentage of .209, the Daemen hitters went south attacking at just .030 in set two and .188 in set three - both losses.  The Wildcats rebounded to take set four, attacking at a .294 clip.  It was for naught however, as Mercyhurst limited Daemen to a .105 hitting percentage in the pivotal deciding set.

Setter Kaley Vazquez (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore West) notched 37 assists and 17 digs for the Wildcats.

Fretthold led the way defensively with 23 digs while fellow senior Katie Auge (Salamanca, NY/Salamanca) added 18.

Becky Leusch led a balanced Mercyhurst offense with 15 kills.

The Wildcats look to get back on track when they host Fredonia State at 7pm here on Thursday.