Mercer University
Furman
Bears Fall to Furman in First Round of SoCon Tournament
11/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Mercer University volleyball team battled No. 2 Furman in the opening round of the Southern Conference Tournament on Saturday evening on the campus of Western Carolina. The Paladins were too much for Mercer, winning by a final of 3-1 and ending the Bears' season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orange and Black battled Furman in the first frame, as the first set was back-and forth the entire way. The two sides were tied at 21-21 late in the set before the Paladins managed to score four of the final five points to take 25-22. After falling behind early the Bears quickly responded with a strong second set. Mercer led from start to finish in the second stanza, winning comfortably 25-19 to level the match score at a set apiece.
The Paladins came out of the 10-minute intermission refocused and ready for the Bears in the third, as Fuman handily took the third by a score of 25-13. In the fourth frame, Mercer held an 18-17 lead midway through the set but were unable to hold off the Paladins, as Furman won the set 25-20 to take the match at 3-1.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Sophomore outside hitter Emily Krogman continued her recent stretch of great attacking play on Saturday, leading the team in kills with 13. To make the evening even more impressive, the San Diego native posted a hitting percentage of .400, recording 13 kills on 30 total attacks with just one error. Krogman finished the season reaching double figures in kills in each of her last three matches, totaling 44 over that span.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
With four blocks on the evening freshman middle blocker Paige Alsten set the Mercer program single-season record for blocks with 135. Alsten entered the match tied for the top spot with former standout Jennifer Neiner at 131. The All-SoCon Freshmen Team member also set the Mercer single-season record for blocks per set, averaging 1.23 on the season to surpass Jen Darty's mark of 1.14 per set.
NOTABLES
- With the loss Mercer is now 0-2 all-time in the SoCon Tournament.
- Tori Penrod finished the day with 28 digs and has now recorded double digit digs in all 26 matches she has played this season. Penrod has now posted 20 or more digs in 13 matches in 2015.
- Setters Hannah Noon and Waliczek each recorded 15+ assists. Noon led the team with 25 assists and Waliczek added 19 of her own.
- With four blocks Alsten has now had multiple blocks in 24 consecutive matches and 27-of-29 matches on the season.
- Ellie James joined Penrod with double-digit digs, totaling 11 against Furman.
- Four Mercer players recorded four blocks on Saturday. Alsten, Jordan Gollon, Ellie James and Monica Johnson each posted four blocks.
- Three Bears notched double figures in kills. Krogman led the team with 13 and MacGilvary added 12 and James totaled 11.
RECORDS UPDATE
The loss means Mercer finishes the season with a record of 10-19 on the season.
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