Mercer University
Tennessee
Volleyball Edged by Tennessee in Five Set Thriller
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Mercer volleyball team battled through 26 tie scores and 10 lead changes against Southeastern Conference foe Tennessee on Saturday, but ultimately the Lady Vols were able to capture a 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-13) victory at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Mercer's sixth-straight loss dropped the team to 3-9 overall while Tennessee snapped a two-game slide and moved to 5-7 overall.
Junior Molly Locke compiled a match-high 20 kills while adding 11 digs. Freshman Claire Walizcek also booked a double-double, collecting 34 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore Ellie James finished just shy of her own double-double with nine kills and a match-high 21 digs.
Locke's season-high 20 kills came on 60 attempts with just eight errors. Senior Caroline Carlton and junior Monica Johnson also had double-figure kill totals with 12 and 11, respectively.
After dropping the first set, Mercer got six kills from Locke and limited the Lady Vols to a .132 hitting percentage in the second frame to pull the match even. Mercer's defensive effort was led by James, who racked up seven digs and a block-assist during the set.
After Tennessee claimed the third set, Mercer dug deep to win the fourth set and extend the match. The Bears used an 11-4 run midway through the frame to break open an 18-10 lead and never looked back.
Mercer's momentum carried over the fifth set, and the Bears seemed poised to pull the upset after assuming an early 3-0 advantage. The Lady Vols came back to tie matters a 4-4, and from there the teams played evenly until the scoreboard showed a 9-9 tie.
Tennessee finally asserted control with three-straight points to go ahead 12-9. Mercer got back within two of the Lady Vols three more times, but the hosts were able to ultimately prevail 15-13.
Mercer makes its Southern Conference debut next time out, taking on the Citadel in Charleston, S.C. on Sept. 26.
