Mercer University
Belmont
Volleyball Topped by Belmont, 3-1
9/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – Junior setter Madeline Dolny had her second double-double of the season with 23 assists and 11 digs as the Mercer volleyball team fell to Belmont 3-1 (18-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-14) on Saturday at the University Center.
Mercer lost its third-straight and fell to 4-11 (0-2 A-Sun) while Belmont jumped to 11-6 (2-0 A-Sun).
Senior Anna Coursey led the Bears in kills, tallying 11 on 32 attempts with just five errors. Junior Jennifer Katona sported a team-best hitting percentage (.364) with 10 kills and only two errors.
Katona also racked up six total blocks on the day, helping Mercer edge Belmont in blocking, 7-5. The Santa Monica, Calif. native also had three digs, a pair of aces and an assist in the loss.
In the first set, Mercer jumped all over Belmont and raced out to a 4-1 lead behind kills by Dolny, Coursey and Katona. Mercer held that advantage for the entirety of the set, eventually winning 25-18.
Coursey's first-set hitting percentage was a scorching .545 in the opening frame as she pounded out six kills with zero errors on 11 attempts.
The second set was a see-saw battle, featuring 12 tie scores and seven lead changes. Belmont broke away from an 18-18 tie in the set with four-straight points and ultimately prevailed, 25-20.
In the third set, Belmont led 24-20 before Mercer's Charlotte Harris served an ace that ignited the home crowd. Harris' service sparked a 3-0 run for the hosts that saw the set close to 24-23.
Belmont head coach Deane Webb called a timeout that quelled the Mercer momentum and Bruin outside hitter Maggie Johnson closed the set with a kill.
In the final set, Belmont hitters worked with the efficiency of a .552 attacking percentage to close out the match. Mercer never led in the set.
Harris finished with a match-high 22 digs and also collected two assists. Junior Jamie Duffy added seven kills and nine digs in the loss.
Mercer travels to Chattanooga on Wednesday for a non-conference match against the Mocs. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
