Mercer University
Stetson
Volleyball Wins Fourth Straight
9/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – A trio of Mercer volleyball players notched double-double efforts on Friday night as Bears claimed a 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-21, 25-17) win over Stetson at Hawkins Arena. Mercer's fourth-straight win sent the team to 6-6 (2-0 A-Sun) on the season while Stetson dropped its sixth-straight match and fell to 3-14 (0-1 A-Sun).
Freshman Molly Locke registered her team-leading sixth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 15 digs, while seniors Jamie Duffy and Monica Sanchez also turned in double-double performances. Duffy's double-dip came by virtue of 11 kills and 18 digs while Sanchez's night featured 36 assists and 19 digs.
Mercer's win sent the team to 2-0 in conference play for the first time since 1997, and established the team's 13th-straight win over Stetson, dating back to the 2002 season.
Behind a spirited crowd, Mercer controlled the opening set after the teams traded the first six points of the match. A pair of Stetson miscues gave Mercer a 5-3 advantage, and the Bears would never trail on their way to a 25-17 victory.
At the start of the second set, Mercer lost three quick points and ultimately found itself behind by as many as seven points (10-3). The Bears battled back to close within two at 21-19, but Stetson held on for a 25-19 triumph.
The third set was the most competitive, featuring 12 tie scores and six lead changes. Mercer held a slim 22-21 advantage in the set before scoring the final three points to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
In the final set, Mercer found itself behind 3-1 before ripping off a 12-2 run to take a commanding lead. Stetson battled to close within four, but could not overtake control again.
Junior libero Emily Rochefort stifled the Stetson attack all night, racking up 27 digs from her back-row position. Her 27 digs helped limit the opponent to a minute .094 hitting percentage.
Sophomore Caroline Carlton led the team in kills for the first time this season, pounding out 12 on 31 attempts in the match. Her 31 swings yielded only four errors as she led the team in hitting percentage (.258) for the second-straight contest.
As a team, the Bears turned in their best blocking performance of the season. Mercer's 12 total team blocks was the squad's highest block total since collecting 12 against Stetson on October 8, 2011. Senior Jennifer Katona, senior Charlayna Braxton and Locke all contributed five block-assists to the team total.
Mercer returns to action on Saturday afternoon, hosting Florida Gulf Coast at 3 p.m. in Hawkins Arena.
