Mercer University
East Tennessee State
The Bears Come Up Short at ETSU
10/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Mercer volleyball team capped off its weekend trip to the state of Tennessee with a Saturday evening SoCon matchup against East Tennessee State. The Bucs were too much for the Bears, claiming a 3-0 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bucs overwhelmed the Orange and Black in the first two sets, claiming a 25-14 win in set number one and following up with a 25-18 victory in the second stanza. Mercer refused to give in during the third set and put up a valiant effort before falling short, as ETSU took the third frame 25-23.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Freshman middle blocker Paige Alsten continues to wreak havoc on the opposition's attack in her debut season. Alsten recorded seven blocks, matching her second highest total of the season. Three of the seven blocks were of the solo variety, the most she has recorded in 2015.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
After being stifled through the first two sets, the Mercer attack greatly improved in the third frame. The Bears posted an impressive hitting percentage of .314. The Bears produced a match-high 14 kills in the third off 35 attempts, while only making three errors.
NOTABLES
- With the loss, the Bears are now 5-13 against the Bucs in the all-time series.
- Junior Tori Penrod recorded a team-high 13 digs and has reached double-digit digs in all 13 matches she has played in 2015.
- With seven blocks Alsten has now had multiple blocks in 11 consecutive matches and 14-of-16 matches on the season.
- Morgan MacGilvary paced the Bears with eight kills and has now led Mercer in the category in 11 of 15 matches.
- Sophomores Claire Waliczek and Hannah Noon each posted double-digit assists at Chattanooga. Waliczek led the team with 13 and Noon added 10.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer's record falls to 5-11 on the season and 1-4 in SoCon play. The Bucs improve to 12-5 in 2015 and move to 3-1 in league action.
UP NEXT
Mercer returns home to Hawkins Arena to host Western Carolina on Friday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. and then welcome Wofford for a match on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 3 p.m.
STAY SOCIAL
For all the latest information and up-to-the-minute updates on Mercer volleyball, please follow Mercer volleyball on Twitter at @MercerBearsVB.
