Mercer University
Chattanooga
Chattanooga Slips Past Mercer Volleyball, 3-1
10/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – Junior Molly Locke smashed a career-high 25 kills, but her effort wasn't enough to prevent Chattanooga from eking out a 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 30-28) in Saturday afternoon's Southern Conference match at Hawkins Arena.
In a match that featured 35 ties scores and 13 lead changes, the Mocs proved victorious and notched their fourth-straight win to move to 11-10 (4-2 SoCon). The Bears fell to 4-13 (1-4 SoCon) with the loss.
Locke hit .288 on the afternoon, collecting her 25 kills on 59 swings with only eight errors. The junior outside hitter also contributed seven digs, three assists, a block-solo and a service ace. Senior Cara Tripp also reached double-figures in the kill column, notching 11 on 20 attempts for an impressive .350 hitting percentage.
Sophomore Hannah Noon and freshman Claire Walizcek teamed for 45 assists at the setter position, while sophomore Tori Penrod booked her fifth 20-plus dig performance of the year with 23.
Chattanooga led by a single point at early in the first set before a 7-2 surge put the visitors ahead 17-12. Mercer was able to get back within three at twice more in the set before Chattanooga prevailed 25-20.
In the second set, a determined Mercer squad used a 10-4 charge to assume a commanding 17-10 lead. Freshman Emily Krogman stepped up in a crucial spot to secure the set win, hammering down the 25th point off an assist from Noon.
A heated third set saw the teams reach the 14th tie score of the frame at 23-23. Play concluded as a kill by Chattanooga's Allie Davenport and a setting error put the Mocs ahead 2-1.
Mercer fought tooth-and-nail to stave off elimination in the fourth set, but was unable to capitalize on three different set-point opportunities. As the teams battled well past the 25-point benchmark, the Mocs were able to put together back-to-back scores to claim a 30-28 triumph.
Junior Monica Johnson hammered out seven kills on just 12 attempts before leaving the match with an injury in the third set. Freshman Baily Noon tallied 10 digs for the second-straight match.
The Bears are back in action Wednesday, hosting Savannah State at 6 p.m.
