Mercer University
Western Carolina
Bears Drop Five-Setter at Western Carolina
11/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Mercer battled Western Carolina for a five-set marathon on Saturday afternoon in Cullowhee but were unable to come out on top, falling 3-2 to the Catamounts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears got off to a sluggish start in Cullowhee, as Mercer couldn't find any rhythm in the first set, falling to Western Carolina 25-10. However, the Orange and Black bounced back in the second stanza and was able to outlast the Catamounts for a 27-25 win to level the match at 1-1.
WCU came out of the 10-minute intermission between the second and third sets refocused and took the third set fairly comfortably at 25-18 to take a 2-1 lead. For the second time of the afternoon the Bears fought back after dropping a set. Mercer claimed the fourth frame 25-23 to force a decisive fifth frame. In the final set, Western Carolina did just enough and took the set 25-23 to win the match 3-2.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Junior libero Tori Penrod had another great performance for Mercer, totaling 30 digs against the Catamounts. The Jupiter, Fla., native has now averaged at least six digs per set in her last two matches. The junior also tied for the team lead in aces with two on Saturday. Penrod nearly recorded her first double-double of the season, as she posted nine assists.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Mercer had two players record at least 15 kills for the first time this season, as sophomores Morgan MacGilvary and Emily Krogman combined for 32 kills against Western Carolina. MacGilvary led the Bears with 17 kills and Krogman added 15. The 15 kills for Krogman mark a career high for the sophomore.
NOTABLES
- With the loss, the Bears are now 5-13 against WCU in the all-time series.
- Tori Penrod finished the day with 30 digs and has now recorded double digit digs in all 24 matches she has played this season. Penrod has now posted 20 or more digs in 11 matches in 2015.
- MacGilvary has led Mercer in kills in 21 of 27 matches this season.
- Setters Hannah Noon and Waliczek each recorded 20+ assists. Noon led the team with 24 assists and Waliczek added 23 of her own.
- Noon and Waliczek each recorded double-doubles in assists and digs.
- With four blocks Alsten has now had multiple blocks in 22 consecutive matches and 25-of-27 matches on the season.
- Four Bears recorded double digit dig totals.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer's loss drops its record to 9-18 on the season and 4-11 in league action. The Catamounts improve to 11-19 on the year and 5-9 in Southern Conference play.
UP NEXT
Mercer wraps up the regular season on the road at The Citadel on Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. in Charleston, S.C.
STAY SOCIAL
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