Mercer University
Jacksonville
Volleyball Edged in Five Sets at Jacksonville
9/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three Mercer players had double-double performances and the Bears held match-point in the fifth set, but the volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Jacksonville 3-2 (26-28, 25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 16-14) on Friday night at Swisher Gymnasium.
The loss dropped Mercer to 5-12 (0-3 A-Sun) while Jacksonville moved to 9-9 (2-1 A-Sun). Friday evening's match was tightly contested the entire way, featuring 33 tie scores and nine lead changes.
"Obviously this was a tough five set loss and we've got to rebound and make it better tomorrow," Mercer head coach Noelle Rooke said.
Senior Amiee Frutchey and Jamie Duffy each had their first double-double efforts of the year while junior Madeline Dolny tallied her third double-double in 2011.
Frutchey led all players with 16 kills and also booked 12 digs while Duffy tallied 12 kills and 11 digs. Both Frutchey and Duffy's kill totals were season-best efforts.
Dolny's third double-double came by virtue of 28 assists and 13 digs against the Dolphins. Her dig total was a season-high while her assist mark was one short of a season-best.
In the opening set, the teams were deadlocked at 26-26 before back-to-back kills by junior Jennifer Katona and senior Anna Coursey gave Mercer the early advantage.
After allowing Jacksonville to capture set two, Mercer took the third set by limiting the hosts to a .138 hitting percentage in the stanza.
Jacksonville won the fourth set, setting the stage for a deciding fifth set. Mercer held match-point (14-13), but allowed the Dolphins to score consecutive points. Moments later, the score reflected a 15-15 tie before the Dolphins capped the match with a Kylie Jacobs kill and a Mercer attacking error.
Senior Charlotte Harris notched a team-best 17 digs, six assists and two service aces in the loss.
Mercer returns to action on Saturday, facing North Florida at UNF Arena in a 3 p.m. match.
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