Mercer University
The Citadel
Volleyball Rolls Past The Citadel in SoCon Opener
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Junior Molly Locke booked her team-leading ninth double-double of the season to lead the Mercer volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-18) sweep of the Citadel in Friday night's Southern Conference opener at McAlister Fieldhouse.
Mercer's win lifted the team to 4-9 (1-0 SoCon) on the season while the Citadel dropped to 5-10 (0-1 SoCon).
Locke paired a match-high 13 kills with 16 digs to highlight Mercer's second conference opening win in three seasons under head coach Damian Elder. Eight Mercer players registered at least one kill on the evening, as the team compiled a cumulative .244 hitting percentage against the Bulldogs.
Junior Monica Johnson was nearly unstoppable at the net, hammering down nine kills with just a single error for a .444 hitting percentage. Senior Caroline Carlton and sophomore Ellie James added eight and seven kills, respectively.
Sophomore Tori Penrod was credited with 22 digs, six assists and a service ace in the winning effort. Sophomore Hannah Noon and freshman Claire Walizcek combined for 37 assists while splitting playing time at setter.
Despite having to travel outside of Macon for the 13th consecutive match, Mercer jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead in the first set on Friday night. The host Bulldogs battled back to tie matters at 23-23, but Mercer ultimately prevailed thanks to a Locke kill and an attacking error by the Citadel's Ise d'Angelo.
In the second set, the teams battled to a 17-17 tie before a kill by Walizcek sparked a 7-3 Mercer run that put the Bears ahead by a commanding 24-20 advantage. The third set was the most contested frame of the evening, featuring eight tie scores and five lead changes. Mercer eventually capitalized on a 4-0 surge late in the frame to put away the Bulldogs for good.
The Bears continue Southern Conference play with their home opener against UNC Greensboro on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
