Mercer University
S.C. Upstate
Volleyball Falls to USC Upstate, 3-0
10/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – Freshman outside hitter Molly Locke paced Mercer with eight kills in the volleyball team's 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-14) loss to USC Upstate at Hawkins Arena on Tuesday evening.
Mercer's loss dropped the team to 8-12 (4-6 A-Sun) on the season while USC Upstate jumped to 9-13 (4-6 A-Sun).
Locke's eight kills came in conjunction with 16 digs, marking the fifth time in the last six matches she has posted double-digit digs. Junior libero Emily Rochefort collected a team-leading 22 digs in the loss to go along with an assist.
In the first set, the Spartans recorded a scorching .400 hitting percentage on the strength of 15 kills with only a single error. Mercer rallied from down 14-7 to close within four twice during the set, but failed to close the gap.
The second set was the most competitive, with 11 tie scores and seven lead changes. In that set, the Bears and Spartans were locked at 14-14 before a 5-1 USC Upstate surge powered the visitors to a 25-19 win.
In the third set, USC Upstate raced out to an 8-2 lead on the way to a 25-14 win and the match victory.
Senior setter Monica Sanchez dished out 21 assists and notched six digs and a kill in the losing effort. Senior Jennifer Katona collected seven kills, while senior Jamie Duffy and sophomore Caroline Carlton chipped in six kills apiece.
Mercer returns to competitive play at Florida Gulf Coast on October 19. First serve in Fort Myers, Florida is scheduled for 7 p.m.
