October 23, 2010

Hurley Smokes! Bears Sweep FAMU Series and Win Fifth Straight

 

MACON, Ga. – Mercer University's volleyball team may have taken a break from its Atlantic Sun Conference schedule on Saturday versus Florida A & M University, but certainly not from its torrid play of late. Paced by the hot hand of senior Krista Hurley, the Bears improved to 11-14 overall with a 3-1 win (25-16, 25-14, 16-25, 25-22) over the Rattlers at the University Center.

MU's victory – while extending its own win streak to five matches – snapped a six-match string of "W's" by FAMU.

"Krista's hitting was just off-the-charts," MU head coach Noelle Rooke said. "And she also was amazing at the net with her blocking. She had one of those 'dream matches' where everything you touch turns to gold."

While Hurley's efforts may not have actually produced the valuable metal, they were certainly good for plenty of points…17 ½ of them to be exact. Hurley blasted 12 kills in 14 total attack attempts and did not have a single error, good for an almost-unheard of .857 hitting percentage. Just for good measure, the California native added seven blocks (two solo; five assists) and also served up one ace.

But Hurley's numbers were just the tip of the statistical iceberg for the Bears, who posted one of their best all-around efforts of the season.  As a team, the Bears hit .203 on the attack and notched 23 blocks (three solo and 20 assists). MU also had four aces and no receiving errors in the match.

"I felt we did a good job at controlling the nets which was key for us," Rooke said. "Our blocking was right on the money and we did a good job of getting at least two blockers in front of most every attack.

"If you add that to a very solid attacking game by us tonight, it demonstrates exactly what this team is capable of. We were very, very statistically solid tonight."

Junior outside hitter Aimee Frutchey reached a personal milestone in set No. 2 when she became just the sixth player in Mercer University history to record 1,000 career digs. The Gresham, Ore., product amassed 13 digs – giving her 1,009 in her two-plus seasons at MU – and was one of three Bears with a double-double by knocking down 11 kills.

The other two double-doubles came from Mercer's freshman setter tandem of Bridget Sheerin and Carly Iannarino. The duo's double-double efforts included 27 assists and 12 digs by Sheering, while Iannarino booked 19 assists and 10 digs.

Libero Charlotte Harris had a match-leading 22 digs to pace MU's back row defense. Sophomore Jamie Duffy narrowly missed a double-double herself, with 14 kills and nine digs.

Senior Libby Hansch was close behind Hurley's block numbers by contributing six total blocks (one solo and five assists) to Mercer's cause.

The Bears will put their win skein on the line next Tuesday (Oct. 26) in another non-conference contest at UNC-Asheville. Start time is slated for 6 p.m.