Mercer University
Stetson
Mercer Comeback Bid Falls Short at Stetson
9/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
DELAND, Fla. – The Mercer University volleyball team dropped a heartbreaking five-set thriller to hosts Stetson on Friday evening by a final of 3-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer had its chances in each of the first two sets but was unable to pull out either one and quickly fell behind 2-0. In the opener the Bears fought off four straight match points and knotted the score at 24-24 before Stetson claimed the final two points to win 26-24. Mercer led the second set late, holding a 22-20 advantage. The Hatters went on another late run and won the last five points to take the second 25-22.
Mercer rallied in the third and fourth set, jumping out to early leads and shutting the door in each stanza. The Bears cruised to a 25-16 win in the third and followed it up with an impressive 25-18 fourth-set victory to even the match score at two sets apiece. Unfortunately for Mercer, the Bears were unable to carry the momentum into the fifth frame, as Stetson built an early lead and went on to win 15-7 and earn a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Freshman middle blocker Paige Alsten was an absolute force at the net on the defensive side against the Hatters. Alsten recorded nine blocks, all block assists, to notch a career high in the category. The nine blocks are the most by any Mercer player this season and are tied for the most by any SoCon player in 2015. Alsten also added eight kills, the second most by a Bear on the evening, and one dig.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Mercer recorded 18.0 blocks against Stetson, the most by a Mercer squad since also totaling 18.0 against Florida A&M on October 30, 2007. The 18.0 blocks are the most blocks by any team in the SoCon thus far in 2015, as Western Carolina had the previous best mark with 15.5 at Penn on September 6. Alsten led the way with nine blocks and Emily Krogman, Ellie James, Jordan Gollon and Morgan MacGilvary each added three or more for the Bears.
NOTABLES
- Junior libero Tori Penrod set a career high in digs on Friday with 33, which ties her for first on the SoCon single match digs chart for the 2015 season.
- The Bears dished out 11 aces against Stetson, the most of any team in the SoCon entering play on Friday.
- Jordan Gollon tallied seven blocks, matching her career high which was previously set in 2013 as a freshman.
- Penrod racked up three aces on the night, marking the junior's ninth straight match with at least one ace.
- Sophomore Claire Waliczek registered her third double-double of the season with 14 assists and 14 digs. The double-double is the eighth of her career.
- Krogman led Mercer in kills for the first time in 2015 with a season-high nine.
- Swann's five kills give the freshman five or more kills in each of the last six matches.
- With the loss, Mercer now has an all-time record of 19-18 against Stetson.
COACH DAMIAN ELDER'S TAKE
"We played really well in two phases of the game, defense and blocking, and struggled offensively. Unfortunately we will be in our fifth different lineup due to injury tomorrow against FIU so we will continue to fight to win and stay healthy."
RECORDS UPDATE
The loss moves Mercers' overall record on the season to 1-6, while Stetson improves to 3-6 in 2015.
UP NEXT
The Bears take on Florida International on Saturday, Sept. 12 at noon to wrap up their weekend stay in DeLand, Fla.
STAY SOCIAL
For all the latest information and up-to-the-minute updates on Mercer volleyball, please follow Mercer volleyball on Twitter at @MercerBearsVB.
