Mercer University
The Citadel
Penrod's Double-Double Highlights Volleyball Win
10/31/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – Mercer sophomore Tori Penrod registered the second double-double of her career on Friday night, posting 10 service aces and 14 digs as the volleyball team topped The Citadel, 3-1 (25-19, 25-7, 17-25, 25-21).
Mercer's third-straight victory pushed the Bears to 9-16 (4-7 SoCon) while The Citadel fell to 7-21 (0-7 SoCon).
Seven of Penrod's service aces were earned at the start of the second set, when the sophomore took the opening 13 serves of the frame while the Bears busted open a 13-0 lead. Penrod's 10 service aces marked the highest total for a SoCon athlete this year.
In addition to her digs and aces, Penrod also notched six assists and a kill to lead the Bears to their first SoCon home victory. Junior Molly Locke also earned a double-double, knocking down 17 kills to go along with 12 digs.
Senior Caroline Carlton topped the 10-kill mark for the fourth consecutive time, crushing 12 with just five errors on 33 attempts. Carlton also contributed three total blocks and a pair of digs in the win.
After assuming the match lead with a 25-19 victory in set one, the Bears put away the Bulldogs early in the second set thanks in large part to Penrod's services. After a Locke kill gave the Bears control of the serve, Penrod delivered five-straight service aces to begin her 13-serve stretch.
With Mercer leading 2-0, The Citadel came out strong at the open of the third stanza. The visitors jumped out to a 4-1 lead before Mercer pulled even at 10-10. The Bulldogs would retaliate with a 5-1 run and never surrendered the lead thereafter.
A determined Mercer bunch closed out matters in the fourth set, breaking away from a 20-20 tie with four-straight scores. At the end, Locke's 17th kill of the evening sealed the victory.
Sophomore Ellie James earned 14 digs on the back line while also tallying two kills and an assist. Freshman Gabbi Meyering contributed valuable minutes off the bench, with two block solos and a block assist in the crucial final set.
The Bears continue SoCon play on Saturday, hosting Samford at 1 p.m.
