Mercer University
Northern Ky.
Volleyball Edged by Northern Kentucky, 3-2
11/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – Sophomore Molly Locke had a season-high 19 kills and 18 digs as the Mercer volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 (19-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22, 15-11) loss at Hawkins Arena on Friday evening.
Mercer fell to 1-23 (0-14 A-Sun) while Northern Kentucky jumped to 10-16 (5-8 A-Sun) with the win.
Locke hit .275 in the match, pairing her 19 kills with only five errors on 51 attempts. Junior Caroline Carlton joined her in double figures, posting 15 kills on 40 attempts with just four miscues.
Senior Emily Rochefort led all players with 28 digs while freshman Ellie James and senior Caroline Carlton each added 13 digs.
Mercer limited the Norse to just .091 hitting in the first set to take the early lead. In the second set, a Carlton kill and a service ace by sophomore Jordan Gollon helped the Bears break away from a 24-24 tie and take a 2-0 lead.
Northern Kentucky battled back to take the third set, and in the fourth frame Mercer held a 22-16 lead before the Norse rattled off nine-straight scores to capture the come-from-behind victory. In the fifth set, Northern Kentucky jumped out to a 5-1 lead and Mercer couldn't get any closer than two points the rest of the way.
Senior Carly Iannarino dished 29 assists in the loss while freshman setter Tori Penrod booked 19 of her own.
Mercer concludes its home schedule on Saturday hosting Lipscomb at 3 p.m.
