Mercer University
Georgia Tech
Bears Downed by Georgia Tech in Georgia Challenge Opener
9/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
ATHENS, Ga. – The Mercer University volleyball dropped the opening match of the Georgia Challenge to Georgia Tech by a score of 3-0 on Thursday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After losing a lopsided opening set (25-8), Mercer fought back in the second frame. Trailing Georgia Tech 24-18 late, the Bears reeled off six straight points to tie the score at 24-24. However, the Yellow Jackets regrouped and won the next two points to take a 2-0 match lead. Georgia Tech then went on to take the third set by a score of 25-15 to take the match 3-0.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Morgan MacGilvary led Mercer in kills for the third time in just four matches this season with seven on Thursday afternoon. MacGilvary also totaled six digs, the second most of any Mercer player against Georgia Tech, and added an ace and an assist.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
22 of the Bears' 27 kills came off the hands of freshmen or sophomores against the Yellow Jackets. MacGilvary, a sophomore led the way with seven. The freshmen duo of Paige Alsten and Heather Swann each added five and sophomore Emily Krogman also recorded five kills of her own.
NOTABLES
- Krogman led the Bears with three blocks against Georgia Tech and has now recorded exactly three blocks in each of the first four matches on the season.
- Swann's five kills give the freshman five or more kills in each of the last three matches.
- MacGilvary has supplemented her attacking with solid defense as the sophomore had six digs in the match and has recorded at least six digs in all four matches in 2015.
- With the loss, Mercer now has an all-time record of 1-29 against Georgia Tech. The Bears lone win in the series was a 2-1 victory on Nov. 3, 1982 in a match played in Macon.
COACHES TAKE
"We knew losing our two most experienced players to injury was going to be shaky and in the first set it was. Our team got it straightened out and had an opportunity to win the second but overall Georgia Tech was the stronger team." - Head Coach Damian Elder
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer falls to 1-3 on the young season with the loss while Georgia Tech improves to 4-1.
UP NEXT
The Bears close out the Georgia Challenge on Friday with a matinee against Georgia at 1 p.m. ET followed by a match versus Kennesaw State at 4 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.
