The Merciad, Oct. 6, 2010

Locker area added to Rec Center Read the story on Page 2

NEWS

FEATURES

A&E

Curriculum revision in development

Alumna visits, sheds light on bipolar disorder

Photo essay: Jazz legend packs the PAC

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NEWS

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October 6, 2010

’Hurst builds second basket lab in the world

By Jennifer McCurdy Staff writer

Ethan Magoc photo

Zurn Hall’s Processing Laboratory and a basket analysis lab recently underwent $870,000 worth of renovations. Visit merciad.mercyhurst.edu/news to view an interactive panorama of the Processing Lab.

This week, Mercyhurst College will complete construction of the R. L. Andrews Center for Perishables Analysis and the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute Processing Laboratory.

While the renovations will affect only a small percentage of the student population, the construction represents Mercyhurst’s dedication to providing quality education and research opportunities.

Contractors started construction in Zurn Hall in June. The projects cost approximately $870,000.

The R. L. Andrews Center for Perishables Analysis, commonly referred to as the basket lab, is one of only two laboratories in the world that analyze perishable artifacts. The other laboratory is located in Holland.

Dr. James Adovasio, director of the Anthropology and Archaeology Department at Mercyhurst Col-

lege, is one of the world’s leading authorities in the analysis of basketry, textiles, cordage and other plant fiber-derived artifacts.

In a recent press release, he said, “Perishables analysis is a small and relatively arcane specialization. Typically what we have learned about prehistoric civilizations comes from the study of durable materials, like stone and ceramics, when, in fact, 95 percent of what people manufactured prehistorically was made out of perishable materials.”

The newly renovated lab was equipped with modern technology. This includes microscopes connected to high definition video screens for viewing and measuring artifacts, and printers for image capture and the capability of immediately forwarding specimens to the conservation lab. The forwarding allows for a better interface between labs.

According to Lab Supervisor Jeffrey Illingworth, who oversees the daily operation of the basket lab, the college will receive “quite a lot of press coverage” due to the

uniqueness of the facility.

Illingworth, along with director of the facility, Dr. Edward Jolie, manages work-study students and laboratory projects.

The college hired construction crews to renovate the processing lab that neighbors the basket lab, which is located on the first floor of Zurn Hall.

The processing lab, according to Illingworth, is “the least glamorous and most important place in the department.”

Many anthropology and archaeology students receive their first hands-on experience in this lab.

Every piece of material to be analyzed must pass through the processing lab for cleaning, cataloging, labeling and preliminary analysis.

Renovations in the lab included easy-access storage facilities, a spacious stainless steel cleaning station and a computer bank for encoding information.

“It’s been eight or so years ago that the school resolved to renovate the college, lab by lab,” Illingworth said.

“This year was archaeology’s turn.”

Locker rooms add Laker TV strives to entertain convenience to gym

By Chelsee Callahan

By Stacy Skiavo

Contributing writer After a long exhausting workout at the gym, the first thing on most minds is taking a nice long shower to rinse the sweat and grime away.

This was not possible before the renovations of the Mercyhurst College Recreation Center locker room.

The previous open changing area locker room was roughly 1,300 square feet but has been transformed into separate women and men locker rooms with several added facilities.

The new and improved locker rooms now include four showers, two toilets and three sinks in each room.

There are about 60 lockers where students can leave their stuff. Locks are not provided for the lockers. Students can bring their own locks if they choose to do so.

With gender-divided rooms, students are not forced to change in bathroom stalls as they did before.

The installment of showers allows students to shower after their workout and is useful for those working out in between classes.

“The new locker rooms are a lot more organized now and very nice,” junior Carly DiPasquale said.

“I like having the option of showering since I commute.”

The construction for the project began July 12, and continued until roughly the first week of September.

“We all knew it was needed and was a wanted renovation for a long time,” Director of Recreation Tom Herman said. “I met with the current student government president to talk about how showers and more privacy were needed.”

With about 500 people using the gym each day, having more options in the locker room is highly beneficial.

The renovations cost about $215,400.

No problems came about during construction, and the end result appears to be a success. Only positive feedback has been given about the renovations so far.

“They look really nice with all of the showers, lockers and stalls,” freshman Brittany McCulloch said. “The improvements all turned out looking great.”

Herman is pleased with the renovations as well.

“It was an overdue project and goal to get new locker rooms,” he said. “This was accomplished, so I’m very happy with the results.”

Staff writer

Students tired of turning on the TV to find nothing entertaining is on should check out Laker TV, the local student-run television station at Mercyhurst College.

This year changes are being made to the way Laker TV is run.

Sophomores Victoria Gricks and Alex Keener are two students who help head the direction of Laker TV and are looking to make changes.

This year, programs on Laker TV will include some from past years and a few new ones.

Gricks and Keener are bringing back and revamping “The Hollywood Buzz,” “MC Charts” and “Hockey Week.”

Possibilities for new shows include a prank show, “Mercyhurst Cops,” a cooking show and a sports show.

“We strive for a professional atmosphere and are committed to having entertaining TV,” Gricks said. “We really want to create

something that students want to watch.”

In order to gain more viewers, Laker TV’s focus for the year is to create shows students want to watch.

Last week, students involved with Laker TV interviewed President Dr. Thomas Gamble about the Mercyhurst College change to university status.

“We want Laker TV to be something we can look back and be proud of,” Keener said. “For me it is not about being on television but making great shows. We are looking to create a foundation, an unprecedented project we can really be proud of.”

Keener and Gricks welcome any student in any major to come and help if interested. The experience working at the station will be great for any profession, and there is always room for more help and ideas, Gricks said.

Students who aren’t interested in helping but wish to view the shows can turn on Channel 19 to watch fellow Mercyhurst students on Laker TV.

NEWS

October 6, 2010

Committee working to revise curriculum

By Kelly Luoma Managing editor

Winter registration is coming up soon for Mercyhurst College students. An important aspect of registration is taking the necessary core classes required for graduation.

There is currently an ad hoc committee working to revise the core curriculum required at Mercyhurst. The current requirement for core classes is about 15 years old.

Dr. Randy Clemons is the cochair of the committee on core revision.

“The purpose of the committee focus is not on core reduction,” Clemons said. “Reducing the size of the core is just one of the issues that has been raised.”

The committee began its work by breaking into three subcommittees: best practice, core mission and skills/knowledge.

Each subcommittee focused on a certain aspect that is important when determining what core classes will be required.

The best practice subcommittee looked at what other schools are doing in terms of their core classes.

The core mission subcommittee was responsible for determining what Mercyhurst’s five core values mean in order to make sure the core curriculum fits the mission of the college.

The skills/knowledge subcommittee focused on what classes students will need for their future and what classes employers are looking for.

According to Clemons, right now employers prefer students to

take classes where they gain general rather than narrow technical skills.

Businesses want students who are critical thinkers and proficient in reading and writing.

As part of phase one of the core curriculum revision process, which occurred last year, the committee produced a document and sent it to the Mercyhurst community asking for feedback. The document met with approval by the Faculty Senate, academic departments, Academic Planning and Assessment Committee, College Council, the Board of Trustees and Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG).

According to Clemons, right now the committee is working to come up with a structural model that will decide the number of core classes that will be required and the names of the different core categories.

This structural model draft should be revised by the end of February. Once revised, the model will be sent out to the entire Mercyhurst community to work on ways to improve it.

Once the model is officially approved by President Dr. Thomas Gamble, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Phillip Belfiore and the Board of Trustees, professors and departments will need to propose classes, and the course catalog will need to be adjusted.

Revising the core curriculum is a long process that requires a lot of work.

“For current students, there’s not a huge impact,” Clemons said. “Fall of 2013 would be the soonest it would go in place.”

The class of 2017 would be the first class that would be affected by the core curriculum changes.

Students can provide feedback on Mercyhurst’s Climate Action Plan.

The Climate Action Plan can be found online at green.mercyhurst.edu.

Suggestions can be sent to Brittany Prischak at bprischak@mercyhurst.edu by Friday, Oct. 8.

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FEATURES

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October 6, 2010

Alumna discusses bipolar disorder

By Lynn Dula

Contributing writer On Tuesday, Oct. 5, alumna Mary Beth Sederburg gave a guest performance and lecture to the students of the D’Angelo Department of Music at Walker Recital Hall.

She performed during Student Forum, which is held weekly and is an attendance requirement for music majors.

Usually, Student Forum is a time for student performance, but occasionally a guest is brought in to impart valuable information about the music industry and musical careers.

Past guests have included Maestro Daniel Meyer of the Erie Philharmonic, and Rusted Root, an African drumming circle.

Sederburg’s performancelecture was titled “Living With Bipolar Disease” and is part of the music department’s focus for the year on mental wellness, while paralleling the college’s

year-long theme of the Flourishing Child.

Sederburg opened with a segment of a dramatic reading that detailed her own personal experiences suffering from bipolar disorder. Interspersed between the readings were musical selections that embodied the emotions described.

At the end of the recital portion of the program, Sederburg presented information on bipolar disorder in a question and answer format, using her own personal experiences to explain the truth about the disorder.

She answered questions such as “What is bipolar disorder?” and “What was the first indication you experienced that you had the disorder?”

Sederburg first saws signs of bipolar disorder during her junior year of high school, but was not officially diagnosed with the disorder until age 29.

She stressed to the audience that the most important thing to do if diagnosed with this disease is to take the prescribed medications and

attend therapy.

“Bipolar is a disease that is with you for life, and teaches you without a doubt that you have no control over your emotions,” Sederburg said.

She also stressed the importance of spirituality in managing her disorder. She said, “My hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ has held me back from the deepest despair.”

On a musical level, Sederburg was both powerful and expressive, reaching her audience on an emotional level through her singing.

Senior music student Mary Spinelli said, “Her story of recovery is so beautiful, and she expresses herself so well within the musical pieces. Her story is heartbreaking.”

Sederburg is an Erie native, and graduated from Mercyhurst in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Piano. She is also a graduate of the opera program at Carnegie Mellon University, as well as a former apprentice with the Pittsburgh Opera.

As an opera singer, she per-

formed with After Dinner Opera, Opera North, the Opera Theater of Lucca, the Erie Opera Theater and the American Singers Opera Project.

Now, she is the founding Director of Undercroft Opera in Pitts-

burgh. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband Neil. She maintains that her faith and taking medication are the main factors that have allowed her to lead such a full and successful life while having bipolar disorder.

Ethan Magoc photo

Mary Beth Sederburg performed a short recital, pausing for short speeches about her fight with bipolar disorder.

Yoga Club promotes health, relaxation and an open heart

By Faye Clark Staff writer

Since last fall, the Merciad has published several articles about the yoga classes offered by Betty Amatangelo.

These classes received much participation from the student body as well as the community, and with the beginnings of the Mercyhurst College Yoga Club, they can begin giving the relaxation and peace of mind they have been cultivating back to the community.

Their first meeting on Oct. 4 was to organize and elect members. They started the meeting with a prayer, not in the traditional sense, but a reading from a novel that aligned with the theme of the club and that touches on the higher power that exists – whatever one may name it.

“I’m not navigating, after this I

just want to be a strong, supportive presence,” Betty Amatangelo, the adviser said as the students began electing the officers for the club.

Many of the students were attracted to yoga at first for the health benefits, seeing it as a good form of exercise, but for students like senior Grig Grigoryon, it became a way to relax.

“You work muscles you didn’t even know you had,” senior Chelsea Lammes said.

Senior Toni Novello added, “You really do get more in touch with every part of your body.”

“It’s a way to balance your spiritual side and physical side together,” said Novello.

“I don’t really know how to meditate, but it’s a time to ‘veg out’ your mind.” Lammes added, “It’s a just a time during the week when you’re told not to think. Being quiet transfers into other areas of life and settles me.”

“We want to take yoga out into the community,” Amatangelo

explained as the students began discussing possible service projects.

The students want to work with underprivileged children, hoping to get them involved in physical activity of a different kind, to promote more than just physical fitness.

They also hope to organize a campus event for National Yoga Day on Jan. 22, bringing in guest speakers and organizing a massive yoga class in the Athletic Center to introduce students to the benefits of yoga.

Yoga is about a mix of physical and spiritual wellness, but bake sales while profitable, are usually filled with sweet food that conflict with the health aspect of yoga and the importance of moderation.

The yoga club wants to put a new spin on this idea, by fundraising for their trips by making scented eye pillows, and possibly even doing henna art for students.

“This is a way you can meet life with dignity,” Amatangelo said, “with an open heart.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 6, 2010

Dancer Profile: Lindsey Smith

By Sarah Mastrocola

Page 5

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Staff writer

Lindsey Smith is a senior dance major with a double minor in hotel management and religious studies.

She combines her many interests in academics, liturgical dance and activism with the wealth of activities in which she engages.

Smith was accepted as a transfer from Northern Virginia Community College, where she took college courses during high school.

She came to Mercyhurst because the school offered both dance and hotel management majors.

“I had been planning all along to study both of these, so it was a perfect fit,” she said.

The religious studies minor was not part of her original plan but she added it to her degree plan when she took religion courses and really enjoyed them.

“It is interesting to learn about religions from an academic standpoint,” said Smith.

Smith is vice president of the Liturgical Dance Ensemble, and she often choreographs for the troupe.

Most recently, her choreography was performed by the Liturgical dancers at the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

“I love Liturgical. It was exciting to me to find liturgical dance at Mercyhurst. I love dance and I love God, and so this is the perfect way to blend the two together,” said Smith.

Smith will soon be traveling with the Liturgical dancers to perform in Sydney, Australia, at the Project Dance festival, a conference where dancers gather to perform, audition and use their dance-related talents and gifts to praise God. “I am so excited to go!” said Smith. “I have wanted to go to Australia since I was a little kid.”

Smtih also has experience choreographing the Mercyhurst dancers.

“I really enjoy the whole process of choreographing – learning to put phrases together, the excitement of rehearsals. I really like working with the dancers. I feel like choreographing allows you to take what’s inside

Tyler Stauffer

Tyler Stauffer photo

Lindsey Smith has combined her love of dance in many aspects of her life. and bring it out in a very real, tangible way,” said Smith.

An extremely involved student, Smith also initiated the creation of Project Abolition, one of Mercyhurst’s Recognized Student Clubs and Organizations (RSCO).

The group raises awareness about modern slavery through informational meetings, showing documentaries and other activities.

“At least if people are aware, they can do something about it,” said Smith.

As part of Project Abolition, Smith is working on an arts collaboration and benefit concert that will deal with the slavery issue.

Smith is also an active member of Nu Delta Alpha (NDA), a Dance Honor Society. Her article, titled “Dance and Religion: the Christian Perspective,” was published in the NDA journal, and won her the Student Literary Award.

Smith has also been invited by NDA to write a book about liturgical dance for publication and presentation at an NDA conference.

Upon graduating from Mercyhurst, Smith hopes to find a job performing with a Christian-based dance company. Eventually, she also wants to use her hotel management degree use as the owner of a bed and breakfast. Smith hopes to teach dance and to continue choreographing.

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

Tyler Stauffer

Tyler Stauffer

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra performed at the D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Sept. 29

Contributed photo

OPINION

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October 6, 2010 September 3, 2008

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Parkhurst needs improvement

By Andrew Mayher Staff Writer

Have you eaten at Egan this year? If the answer is ‘yes,’ I feel bad for you, because the quality of the food and its hours have deteriorated.

Last year, when Parkhurst started managing the cafeteria, the dining experience was quite enjoyable.

Egan was remodeled, the food was always fresh, desserts were plentiful and I could grab a bite to eat at 11:30 p.m.

This year is a different story. It is a struggle to eat their meals. The food does not look or taste fresh, and there is no variety.

This past Friday, a friend and I ate at Egan and both got fried chicken breast. Once my friend examined the chicken on his plate, he just threw it away.

I, on the other hand, decided to give it a try. When I attempted to

cut a portion of the chicken to eat, I was literally unable to cut through it. There weren’t even knife marks on the chicken where I tried to cut.

You don’t have to just take my word for it. I took a video of my failed attempt, which is featured on The Merciad’s Web site on the opinion section.

I am not the only one dissatisfied with the quality of food this year.

In fact, many people I have talked to agree that the value has gone way down.

Another complaint I have is about the operating hours at Egan.

While it used to be open from 7 a.m. until midnight, closing time is now at 10 p.m. It’s true that you can go to Egan in that period, but I’m not sure if you can get food at all times.

When I enter Egan around 9:30 p.m., there is hardly any food available, and they are normally out of burgers and hot dogs.

I understand that the quan-

tity of food at that time will be less than usual, but there should at least always be pizza, a full salad bar, and an open grill until 10 p.m.

The hours have already been cut, so why can’t they stay operational until that time?

Despite my pessimism, I must admit that the employees at Egan are phenomenal, friendly and hardworking.

Many of those who work at the front desk even remember a lot of the students’ names as they walk into Egan.

But this fragment of positivity and exceptional customer service is not enough.

Part of Parkhurst’s vision is to keep students, faculty, staff and guests looking forward to their next meal.

Based on that piece of chicken that still remains intact, unfortunately, they have not fully succeeded this year.

A&E editor

Now that we are bravely entering the wonderful world of midterms, it seems appropriate to complain about a favorite topic – tests and the pet peeves that go with them.

Aside from the obvious question of ‘why must we take the wretched things to begin with,’ there is a certain test etiquette which unfortunately tends to fall by the wayside, making an already nerve-wracking experience worse.

Number one – talking.

Teachers sometimes feel the need to talk after the tests have been distributed. People are looking at the tests and trying to focus. In an already uptight environment, the last thing students want is the teacher to continue talking about it. This often just makes the whole situation worse.

October raises awareness Mary Nolte explains why October is the perfect time to wear pink.

Watch Andrew (not) cut chicken See the can’t- cut chicken on video

Letter to the editor

Sean Williams addresses Kathleen Vogtle’s concerns from a column that appeared in our Sept. 29 issue about hours of various campus locales.

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.

Test-taking habits cause distress

By Kathleen Vogtle

More Online...

Number two – asking questions.

This can indeed be helpful in clearing up information or providing some background if you happened to fall asleep during the previous lesson. However, if a person were foolish enough to have chosen to watch a season premier over studying, this can be a nauseainducing wake-up call.

Number three – random noises.

Unfortunately, I’m one of those people whose nerves tend to escape through evil pen clicking. And as much as it provides comic relief for the Verizon default ringtone to go off in the middle of a difficult essay, trying to regain your train of thought afterward is a right bear.

Number four – people coming in late…with coffee. As college students, most of us have discovered the delights that this legal addictive stimulant can bring. However, when in a middle of a multiple choice section, someone walking in late carrying a cup of coffee tends to

be a bit annoying.

It seems that the only reason this person was late was because they stopped for the coffee, and that is not a good enough reason for concentration to be disrupted.

There is also the compulsion to watch that person walk to their seat, simply because it provides a distraction from the drudgery of the test.

Number five – running out of supplies.

Why is it that a pencil breaks or pens run out of ink only during a test? Then, you likely have to disturb the class by rummaging around in your bag for a new one or by asking the person next to you for a replacement. However, I have found that this is a perfectly legitimate way to postpone the abuse of your brain and your hand.

Tests tend to bring out the worst in us. Thankfully, in a roughly twohour time period, it’s all over.

Until finals week, anyway.

Editors Ethan Magoc Kelly Luoma Alex Stacey Victoria Gricks Nick Glasier Kathleen Vogtle Samantha Williams Tyler Stauffer Ethan Johns Chrissy Mihalic Max Rivera Bill Welch Brian Sheridan

Positions @mercyhurst.edu Editor-in-Chief editormerciad News Editor newsmerciad Features Editor featuremerciad Opinion Editor opinionmerciad Sports Editor sportsmerciad A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad Graphics photomerciad Photo Editor photomerciad Web Editor ejohns89 Copy Editor copymerciad Ad Manager admerciad Adviser wwelch Adviser bsheridan

The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. 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 e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

October 6, 2010

Page 7

Football team throws away Niagara Cup

By D.J. Haurin Staff writer

The Gannon University Golden Knights slipped by the Mercyhurst College Lakers Saturday, scoring with just two minutes left to solidify the come-from-behind victory.

Both sons of Athletic Director Joseph Kimball played big roles in the game. Bryant Kimball stuffed GU running back Tyler Batts on a 4th-and-3 to force a turnover with 45 seconds left to give the Lakers a shot at winning the game. On the ensuing drive, brother Connor Kimball intercepted a pass to seal the Knight’s victory.

This game is only the third time both teams scored 14 points or less.

As the rivalry stands, the Lakers lead the head-to-head series, 9-4-1.

However, since the renewal of the rivalry in 2004, when both joined the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s west division, Mercy-

Ethan Magoc photo

Mercyhurst College junior Nick Jackson falls short of tackling Gannon University senior quarterback Zach Boedicker in Mercyhurst’s 14-10 loss. hurst leads the series, 4-3.

Both teams fought hard on Saturday, proving to be a precedent set in the early ‘90’s when this rivalry

started. Since then, the home team hosting the game has only won three times, showing how hard each team plays when the game matters

the most.

The Laker defense played hard for the majority of the game, giving the offense the best chance at scor-

ing points. “The game was a battle just like we expected it to be,” senior linebacker Tim Herbner said.

“We played well defensively for 58 minutes, but couldn’t get it done in the last two minutes.”

Although the defense played well, the Laker offense failed to find a rhythm and move the ball. Both teams punted the ball a total of 17 times, proving that each team’s defense played an important role in this game.

“It’s a hard loss, but we have to put it behind us because we have another huge game this week,” Herbner said.

The Lakers will travel to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Saturday. A win here moves the Lakers into the top three in the PSAC’s west division.

The Lakers upset the Crimson Hawks last year on Homecoming, 20-16, but this year they face a hungry team looking for redemption.

Hockey is back

By Steve Bukowski Columnist

My previous post at The Merciad was covering our men’s ice hockey team, a job that I relinquished to take this one. However, one thing has not changed, and that’s the passionI have to write with about hockey.

Would it be too much to assume that Mercyhurst has been awaiting the arrival of hockey season?

The first home game was a women’s game against Wilfrid Laurier, an impressive win for the No. 3 ranked Lakers.

This year is very important and exciting for the women’s program, as they welcome back two-time gold medalist Meghan Agosta for her senior season with Mercyhurst.

The team has also brought back many familiar names as well as some new freshmen who are eager to get things rolling at the ‘Hurst, especially in a year when Erie will be hosting the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four.

When asked about making this year’s team, freshman Christie Cicero said it’s “exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. Coming to a team who is on a completely different level of play is so exciting.”

“As a freshman, I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m learning from the best, and the Frozen Four will be an amazing experience in our home town here. Mercyhurst women’s hockey is a big time thing,” Cicero said.

This is true, knowing that, Erie will indeed rally around its hometown Lakers in hopes that the Mercyhurst women make it to the Frozen Four this coming this March.

For the rest of this column go to merciad.mercyhurst.edu.

October 6, 2010

Sports

Page 8

Men’s tennis hurting

By Nick Glasier Sports editor

The Mercyhurst College men’s tennis team pulled off a huge upset in pulling in a large tennis tournament last weekend.

This weekend, the United States Tennis Association/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men’s Atlantic Region Championship competition was hosted by Mercyhurst College at the Pennbriar Athletic Club.

Hosting the event was a big triumph for Mercyhurst as the event is normally held at Bloomsburg. Head coach Ray Yost stepped in and convinced the USTA/ITA to let Mercyhurst hold the event.

“The tournament had traditionally been held in Bloomsburg but the problem is that it is outdoors and the weather this time of year isn’t so good,” said Yost. “So I placed the bid for an indoor tournament, the traditional problem of an indoor tournament was the cost, but we came up with some ways to cut the costs a little.”

The tournament turned out to be a big success as the location of the tournament was a huge convenience.

“It was nice for the players because they didn’t have to deal with the bad conditions outside. The location of the hotel was also close enough that all they had to do was walk across the street to get to the tournament,” Yost said.

Injuries and recruiting problems are posing problems for the tennis team.

“We had a few injuries before the tournament and we had a few recruits end up not playing for us so we have had to have a Tyler Stauffer photo few freshmen set in right Mercyhurst College sophomore away and play,” said Yost.

These freshmen have to Jorn van der Veer serves. adapt to the level of play of college tennis.

“These freshman have a very high learning curve because the level of competition in high school tennis in the area is not quite as good as that overseas, but they are really trying hard out there,” Yost said.

This lack of experience in the Lakers’ lower pairs has caused a lack of depth for the men’s tennis team.

“I have one of the best top two pairs of players we have ever had but there is a lot of pressure on them to perform because of lack of experience in our bottom pairs,” Yost said.

The doubles consisting team of junior Keith Whittingham and sophomore Jorn van der Veer made it to the finals match against the tournament’s top ranked pair from West Virginia Wesleyan College but could not muster a victory.

The Lakers despite, not winning any of the events, did come away with some experience.

“We played a lot of matches this tournament, and for sure there were some matches we can learn from,” said van der Veer.

Tyler Stauffer photo

Mercyhurst College junior Keith Whittingham returns the ball in the USTA/ITA Tournament.