Mercer University
Mississippi
Volleyball Drops a Pair at Magnolia Invitational
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
OXFORD, Miss. – The Mercer volleyball team dropped a pair of matches to open the Magnolia Invitational hosted by Ole Miss on Friday. The Bears fell victim to the Rebels 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-18) before being edged by UAB 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21).
Mercer's efforts moved the team to 3-5 on the season while Ole Miss remains a perfect 9-0 and UAB is now 3-7 overall.
Junior Molly Locke collected her fifth double-double of the year with 16 kills and 13 digs against UAB, and led Mercer with total 21 kills on the day. Senior Caroline Carlton also reached double figures in the kill column with 10 against the Blazers.
Mercer and UAB shared 29 tie scores and 11 lead changes in a match that was tightly contested throughout. The Bears got the upper hand early in the match, breaking away from a 23-23 tie in the first set to claim a slim victory.
In the second set, Mercer was up 19-18 before the Blazers scored four of the next five points to take a two-point advantage. The separation proved to be enough as UAB ultimately prevailed, 25-22.
In the third set UAB was ahead just 19-17 before rattling off four-straight scores to gain control. The fourth and final frame had the teams knotted at 18-18 before UAB went on a crucial 4-0 run to help secure the win.
Freshman setter Claire Walizcek handed out 27 assists to go along with seven digs against UAB while sophomore Tori Penrod notched a match-high 18 digs.
Against the Rebels, junior Monica Johnson and Carlton tied for the team lead with eight kills apiece. Carlton's eight kills came on 12 swings with only four errors while Johnson's were earned on 29 attempts with only two miscues.
Walizcek and sophomore Hannah Noon split time at the setter position, combining for 30 assists in three sets. Walizcek contributed 18 of the helpers to go along with a dig, while Noon's 12 assists came in conjunction with two digs.
Mercer fell behind 5-0 in the first set and couldn't get back within six points the rest of the way. In the second set, the Bears gained an initial 4-1 advantage before the Rebels clawed back to a 7-7 tie. The hosts were ultimately able to break away with four-straight points midway through the frame and take a 2-0 set lead. In the final set, Ole Miss broke out to a 10-4 lead and maintained the advantage before securing the match.
Sophomore Ellie James led the way defensively, collecting a team-high 13 digs in the losing effort.
Mercer continues play in the Magnolia Invitational on Saturday, facing Jacksonville State at noon.
