Mercer University
S.C. Upstate
Volleyball Drops Four Set Decision to USC Upstate
9/21/2013 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – Sophomore Molly Locke knocked down 14 kills with only three errors to highlight the Mercer volleyball team's 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20) loss to USC Upstate at Hawkins Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Bears fell to 1-11 (0-2 A-Sun) while the Spartans moved to 1-9 (1-1 A-Sun).
Locke paired 18 digs with her 14 kills for her second-straight double-double performance, while junior Caroline Carlton just missed her own double-double with 10 kills and nine digs. Senior libero Emily Rochefort notched a team-high 35 digs while freshman Ellie James added 17 of her own.
USC Upstate jumped all over the Bears at the start, booking a .302 hitting percentage in the opening set to take an early lead. Mercer retaliated with a 5-1 run to start the second set and held the Spartans to a paltry .068 attacking percentage in the frame to even the match.
The third set was knotted at five before the Spartans began a 9-2 run that put the set out of reach. In the final frame, Mercer started slow again, falling behind 7-1 before rallying to close within one at 9-8. The Bears could never close the gap however, and ultimately fell 25-20.
James added nine kills to her 17 digs, while freshman Tori Penrod tallied 38 assists in her debut as a setter.
Mercer returns to action at Stetson on September 27. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
