Mercer University
UNC Greensboro
Mercer Edged by UNCG in Five-Set Thriller
10/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – The match between Mercer and UNCG on Wednesday evening could not have been any closer, as the Spartans escaped Hawkins Arena with a 3-2 victory in the SoCon showdown.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The match was tight throughout the entire evening, as neither team posted a comfortable victory in any of the five sets. UNCG gained the early advantage, claiming a 1-0 lead after the first due to a 30-28 victory. The following game the Bears leveled the score at one set apiece after taking the second stanza 25-23.
The Spartans once again took a one-set advantage after the third, returning the favor to Mercer with a 25-23 set win of their own. The see-saw battle continued in the fourth with Orange and Black edging UNCG by a final score of 25-23.
The final frame was full of drama. After being deadlocked at 5-5 early, the Bears won five of the next six points to take a 10-6 lead in the shortened set. However, the Spartans refused to go away, reeling off eight of the next 11 points to earn a match point at 14-13. Mercer showed once again showed resilience and bounced back to take the next two points and earn a match point of its own at 15-14. Despite having a chance to end the match, the Spartans had one last run in them and claimed the next three points to outlast Mercer 17-15 in the fifth set and 3-2 in the match.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Sophomore Emily Krogman had one of the best matches of her Mercer career against the Spartans, posting a season-high 13 kills and a career-best eight blocks. Krogman was consistent throughout the evening, posting three or more kills in three sets. On the defensive side the sophomore was a force, totaling her eight blocks off seven block assists and one solo block. Her previous career high was seven blocks which came against UNCG last season in the SoCon Tournament.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Bears had its best serving performance of the season on Wednesday, posting a season-best 14 aces. Mercer's 14 aces tie the best mark of any team in the SoCon in 2015, as ETSU also dished out 14 this year against Morehead State. The Orange and Black has now posted double figures in three of its last four matches and five times this season, more than any other team in the conference. Morgan MacGilvary led the way from the service line with five, while Ellie James added four. Tori Penrod dished out three aces while Hannah Noon and Jordan Gollon each chipped in one.
NOTABLES
- With the loss, the Bears are now 1-4 against the Spartans in the all-time series.
- MacGilvary posted her team-best sixth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 13 digs.
- With 13 kills, Krogman has now posted 10 or more kills in four matches this season.
- Penrod led the team in digs with 22 and has recorded double digit digs in all 20 matches she has played this season. Wednesday marks the ninth time this season Penrod has had 20 or more digs in a match.
- Setters Hannah Noon and Waliczek each reached the 20-dig mark at Wofford. Noon led the team with 23 and Waliczek added 20.
- MacGilvary has now led or tied for the team lead in kills in 18 of 22 matches.
- MacGilvary has recorded at least one ace in eight consecutive matches and has totaled 22 over the last five contests.
- With six blocks Alsten has now had multiple blocks in 18 consecutive matches and 21-of-23 matches on the season.
- Ellie James totaled double figures in digs for the fifth time in 2015 with 13 against UNCG.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer's loss drops its record to 9-14 on the season and 4-7 in league action. The Spartans improve to 18-8 on the year and 8-3 in Southern Conference play. UNCG has now won eight straight matches.
UP NEXT
The Bears are right back in action on Thursday, Oct. 29 with a match against Chattanooga in Hawkins Arena.
STAY SOCIAL
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