Mercer University
Savannah State
Bears Sweep Savannah State to Win Third Straight
10/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Mercer University volleyball team won for the third time in as many matches on Wednesday evening, as the squad wrapped up its non-conference schedule with an impressive 3-0 victory at Savannah State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orange and Black jumped all over the hosts early, taking the opening set 25-14. The Bears then turned in their best set of the season, overwhelming Savannah State to take the second stanza 25-7. The Tigers fought back in the third and made Mercer earn the victory but the Bears were up to the task and won the final frame 25-23 to complete the three-set sweep.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Sophomore Morgan MacGilvary was ultra-efficient on Wednesday, posting a hitting percentage of .533. The outside hitter tied for the team lead in kills with eight, which came on just 15 attempts. The .533 attack percentage is the highest of MacGilvary's career in matches she records at least five kills. The sophomore also added six digs, two aces and a block to cap off her evening.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Bears relinquished just 44 points over the three-set win, the fewest of any match this season. Over half of the points came in the final set of the match, as Mercer held Savannah State to 21 points over the first two sets. The seven points allowed in the second set are the fewest Mercer has given up in a frame since taking a set against Citadel 25-7 on Oct. 31, 2014.
NOTABLES
- With the victory, the Bears remain undefeated against Savannah State, sporting a 19-0 record against the intrastate foe in the all-time series.
- The victory marks the second time this season the Orange and Black have won three straight matches.
- Waliczek totaled a team-high 30 assists and has recorded 30 or more assists six times this season.
- MacGilvary's eight kills tied for the team lead. The sophomore has now led or tied for the team lead for Mercer in the category in 14 of 19 matches.
- Junior Tori Penrod recorded a team-high 13 digs and has reached double-digit digs in all 16 matches she has played in 2015.
- Penrod also tied for the team lead in aces with two and has now recorded multiple aces in 10 matches this season.
- With a team-high two blocks Alsten has now had multiple blocks in 14 consecutive matches and 17-of-19 matches on the season.
- Monica Johnson tied for the team lead in kills with eight.
- Heather Swann tied her career high for aces with two and added seven kills.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer's third straight victory pushes its record to 8-11 on the season. The Tigers fall to 0-24 in 2015.
UP NEXT
The Orange and Black returns home for two SoCon matches on Friday, Oct. 16 against Samford at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 17 versus Furman at 1 p.m.
STAY SOCIAL
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