Mercer University
Kent St.
Volleyball Primed for Opening Weekend in Charleston
8/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Mercer volleyball team officially opens the 2014 season this weekend at the College of Charleston Invite, taking on three non-conference opponents on Friday and Saturday.
The Bears open the event against Kent State on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., and later challenge host College of Charleston on Saturday at noon before concluding the event against Davidson on 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Kent State returns nine letterwinners and four starters from last year's team that finished 12-18 (6-10 MAC). The Golden Flashes were picked to finish fifth in the East Division of the Mid-American Conference in a preseason poll of league coaches.
The Golden Flashes are deep in the middle blocking unit, with senior Liz Reikow and junior Bridget Wilhelm both back after starting every match last season. Junior Kelly Hutchinson and senior Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola are the go-to attackers at the net, having averaged 2.65 and 2.44 kills per set, respectively, a year ago.
The College of Charleston boasts a roster featuring 10 returning players from last year's 25-5 (13-1 CAA) team. The Cougars were picked to win the CAA in the league's preseason poll for the third-straight season earlier this month.
Four of CofC's returners earned All-Conference recognition a year ago, including first team selection Sloane White. White averaged 2.59 kills,0.93 blocks and 0.48 blocks per set in 2013.
Davidson is fresh off a 16-14 (7-9 SoCon) campaign in 2013 and was picked to finish ninth in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Wildcats lost their top three leaders in kills per set a season ago, but do return sophomore setter Mikayla Derochie, who averaged 10.12 assists per set in 2013.
MERCER SEASON OPENING NOTES
Mercer's trip to Charleston marks the first of four non-conference tournaments the team has on tap in the first month of the season. The Bears will play 14 matches away from home before debuting at Hawkins Arena against UNC Greensboro on Sept. 27.
The Bears bring back four starters and nine total letterwinners from a season ago and were picked to finish eighth in the Preseason Southern Conference Coaches' Poll.
Offensively, Mercer features a formidable trio of senior Caroline Carlton, Molly Locke and Ellie James. Carlton has over 500 career kills to her credit and led the squad with 2.70 kills per set in 2013, while Locke and James combined for over 433 kills last season.
The Bears look to replace last year's starting setter (Carly Iannarino) and libero (Emily Rochefort), who both gradated in the spring of 2014. An influx of seven newcomers along with key returner Tori Penrod and Hannah Noon are expected to compete for playing time at those key positions.
