Mercer University
South Carolina
Mercer Earns a Split on Day One of Gamecock Challenge
3/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Beach Volleyball
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Mercer beach volleyball team went 1-1 in the first day of action in Columbia, S.C. on Saturday at the Gamecock Challenge. The Bears lost to the hosts, South Carolina, in the opening match before rebounding with a win over UAB in the afternoon.
MATCH ONE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA
The Bears dropped the opener to South Carolina, the tournament hosts, by a final score of 4-1. All five matches ended in straight-set decisions.
Mercer's lone victory came at the No. 2 position, as Tori Penrod and Emily Krogman defeated the Gamecocks fairly easily by a final of 21-12, 21-15. The tandem of Penrod and Krogrman improved to 3-1 on the season with the victory.
The Orange and Black shuffled the lineup compared to the season's first three matches of the season. The pairing of Morgan MacGilvary and Demi-Shay Watchorn made its season debut at the No. 4 spot. The two players battled but fell by a score of 21-16, 21-18.
Mercer is now 1-2 against South Carolina in the all-time series.
FINAL SCORES
1. Julia Mannisto/Shannon Williams (SC) def. Emma Peel/Sophie Peel (MER) 21-15, 21-13
2. Tori Penrod/Emily Krogman (MER) def. Sarah Blomgren/Aubrey Ezell (SC) 21-12, 21-15
3. Macie Tendrich/Katie Reilly (SC) def. Madison Kerr/Ellie James (MER) 21-19, 21-11
4. Delaney Wood/Jade Vitt (SC) def. Morgan MacGilvary/Demi-Shay Watchorn (MER) 21-16, 21-18
5. Katie McCormick/Erin Neuenfeldt (SC) def. Danielle Faust/Claire Waliczek (MER) 21-16, 21-15
MATCH TWO VS. UAB
Mercer responded to its morning loss with a strong performance in the afternoon. After defeating UAB twice by scores of 3-2 to open the season on Saturday, March 5 at Mercer, the Orange and Black dispatched of the Blazers by a final of 4-1 in South Carolina. Mercer is now 3-0 against UAB this season and 6-8 in the all-time series.
Mercer's No. 2 pair of Penrod and Krogman continued their dominance, winning their second match of the day, this time by a score of 21-12, 21-3. The duo is now 4-1 on the season.
The Bears also claimed straight-set wins at the No. 1 and 4 positions. Sisters Emma and Sophie Peel recorded a victory at the No. 1 spot by a final of 21-19, 21-18 and Jessica Johnson and Gretja Otten teamed up to win 21-17, 21-17 at No. 4. Mercer's fourth triumph came from the No. 5 pair of MacGilvary and Watchorn. After dropping the first set the combo responded with scores of 21-14 and 15-13 to win the match and give the Bears a 4-1 victory.
FINAL SCORES
1. Sophie Peel/Emma Peel (MER) def. Sara Rishell/Chelsi Carter (UAB) 21-19, 21-18
2. Tori Penrod/Emily Krogman (MER) def. Michaela Reesor/Avery Hoven (UAB) 21-12, 21-3
3. Avei Logoleo/Tressa Buckland (UAB) def. Madison Kerr/Ellie James (MER) 23-21, 20-22, 15-6
4. Jessica Johnson/Gretja Otten (MER) def. Rachel Evans/Amber Treace (UAB) 21-17, 21-17
5. Morgan MacGilvary/Demi-Shay Watchorn (MER) def. Emily Martinez/Gabbi Moreno (UAB) 17-21, 21-14, 15-13
UP NEXT
Mercer is back in action tomorrow for day two of the Gamecock Challenge. The Bears will face Tulane at 9 a.m. and Coastal Carolina at 1 p.m. to wrap up their stay in South Carolina.
STAY SOCIAL
For all the latest information and up-to-the-minute updates on Mercer beach volleyball, please follow the team on Twitter at @MercerBearsVB.
