Mercer University
Samford
Volleyball Knocks Off SoCon-Leading Samford, 3-2
11/1/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer volleyball team won its fourth-straight match in thrilling fashion on Saturday, knocking off Southern Conference-leading Samford, 3-2 (25-22, 31-29, 20-25, 8-25, 15-13) at Hawkins Arena.
Mercer's fifth win in its last six outings pushed the Bears to 10-16 (5-7 SoCon) while Samford lost for just the second time in its last 14 matches and dropped to 16-9 (10-2 SoCon).
Mercer seniors Caroline Carlton and Cara Tripp combined for 25 kills in the victory, while a solid defensive effort was paced by sophomore Tori Penrod's 19 digs. Mercer's setters, sophomore Hannah Noon and freshman Claire Walizcek, paired for 43 assists in the winning effort.
Things were back and forth at the outset of the first frame until the Bears broke away from a 6-6 tie with five-straight scores. Samford got back within one point two separate times, but on each occasion the Bears were able to score to preserve the lead.
A memorable second set featured 19 lead changes and seven tie scores as the scoreboard climbed well beyond the typical 25-point threshold. With a raucous crowd behind the home team, the Bears were able to claim a 31-29 victory after a Samford service error and a kill by junior Molly Locke completed the stanza.
A 10-minute intermission between the second and third sets benefitted Samford, as the Bulldogs turned the tables on Mercer with victories in each of the next two sets. Samford's attack was particularly effective in the comeback, with hitting percentages of .343 and .640 in the third and fourth set.
In the deciding frame, the teams were trading scores when a thunderous kill by Tripp helped stoke a 4-0 Mercer surge. Samford made things interesting at the end, cutting their deficit to 14-13 before Walizcek and Carlton teamed up for a match-clinching score. As Carlton's spike found the floor, a sizeable collection of Mercer's supporters stormed the court in celebration.
Tripp added five block-assists, two service aces and a dig to her 12 kills. Carlton finished with a .282 hitting percentage, two digs and two total blocks.
Locke collected 14 digs, eight kills, two bock assists and a service ace. Freshman Emily Krogman was efficient with her swings, posting nine kills on 18 attempts for a .333 attacking percentage.
Mercer hits the road for its next SoCon match, traveling to UNC Greensboro for a 7 p.m. first serve on November 7.
