Mercer University
Troy
Bears Open Home Schedule with a Victory Over Troy
9/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
DELAND, Fla. – After spending the first three weekends on the road, the Mercer University volleyball team finally returned to Macon to play its first match of the 2015 season. The Bears sent the crowd home happy with a 3-1 win over the Trojans of Troy.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer and Troy split the first two sets with the Bears winning the opener 25-21 and then the Trojans responded with a lopsided 25-13 victory in set two to even the match at one apiece. After being tied at 9-9 early in the third, Mecer took a lead that it never relinquished, going on to win 25-21.
The fourth set was the closest of the evening. The two sides were even at 23-23 late in the frame and then the Trojans earned a set point at 24-23. The Bears would fight off two set points and not convert on one of its own before Mercer was serving for the match at 27-26. A Troy attack error gave the Bears the 28th and final point, sealing Mercer's 3-1 triumph.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Morgan MacGilvary was the sparkplug that helped the Bears win the first set and gain an early lead, as the sophomore recorded six kills on seven attempts to go along with three digs in the opening frame. MacGilvary finished the night with her third double-double of the season, turning in a team-high 13 kills to go along with 10 digs, four blocks and an ace.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Mercer block was the difference in the match, as the Bears combined for 11.0 total team blocks compared to Troy's total of 6.0. Seven Mercer players recorded two or more blocks on the evening. Mercer was led by sophomore Emily Krogman who blocked a season-high six attempts.
NOTABLES
- With the victory Mercer improves its record to 6-15 against Troy in the all-time series, with five of the wins coming in Macon.
- The Bears service game remained an area of strength for the team, as Mercer totaled eight aces against the Trojans.
- Junior Ellie James had her best performance of the year, posting a season-high 11 kills while adding four digs, three blocks, two aces and two blocks.
- Penrod dished out two aces on the night, marking the junior's 11th straight match with at least one ace.
- Sophomore Claire Waliczek led the Bears in assists with a season-high 34 on Tuesday, which are the most of any Mercer player in 2015.
- Krogman's six blocks were a season-high for the sophomore.
COACH DAMIAN ELDER'S TAKE
"I was thoroughly impressed with our entire team today. They agreed to change where change was necessary for us to compete. Troy is a very good team and I felt like we played our best when our best was called for. Our fans and our new arena setup made our home debut fantastic."
RECORDS UPDATE
With the win the Bears improve to 2-7 on the season and 1-0 in Hawkins Arena. Troy falls to 5-7 in 2015.
UP NEXT
The Bears are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. in Hawkins Arena, as Mercer hosts South Carolina State in a non-conference matchup.
STAY SOCIAL
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