Mercer University
Jacksonville
Beach Volleyball Earns Saturday Sweep Over Jacksonville
4/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Beach Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer beach volleyball team got back on the winning track on Saturday with a pair of wins over Atlantic Sun foe Jacksonville. The Orange and Black won the first match of the day by a final of 5-0 and then edged the Dolphins in the second contest by a score of 3-2.
MATCH ONE
The Bears got off to a great start against Jacksonville, winning 5-0. Mercer showed tremendous fortitude throughout the lineup, as four of the wins came in decisive third sets. The Mercer No. 1 pair of Tori Penrod and Emily Krogman claimed a straight-set win of 21-18, 21-16.
Emma and Sophie Peel registered a win at the No. 2 position by a final of 21-14, 18-21, 15-9 and Madison Kerr and Morgan MacGilvary defeated their opponent at No. 3 by a score of 21-13, 8-21, 15-9.
After splitting the first two sets at No. 4 and 5, Gretja Otten and Jessica Johnson locked down a 15-11 third set victory at the No. 4 spot and Ellie James and Claire Waliczek outlasted the opposition 15-10 in the third at No. 5.
FINAL SCORES
1. Tori Penrod/Emily Krogman (MER) def. Kelly Koop/Mayara Prestes (JU) 21-18, 21-16
2. Emma Peel/Sophie Peel (MER) def. Mackenzie Swan/Cristina Finan (JU) 21-14, 18-21, 15-9
3. Madison Kerr/Morgan MacGilvary (MER) def. Emily Laskelle/Katie Krawczyk (JU) 21-13, 8-21, 15-9
4. Gretja Otten/Jessica Johnson (MER) def. Shelby Babowicz/Olga Nushtayeva (JU) 16-21, 21-13, 15-11
5. Ellie James/Claire Waliczek (MER) def. Gaby Nieto Gomez/Hanna McMahon (JU) 21-19, 19-21, 15-10
MATCH TWO
The Orange and Black continued its strong play into the second match of the afternoon. Mercer won three of the first four matches to finish to secure the 3-2 win and complete the sweep of the Dophins.
The Peel sisters were dominant at the No. 1 position, rolling to a straight-set victory by a score of 21-17, 21-9 to complete a 2-0 day. Penrod and Krogman also completed their undefeated day with a 21-10, 16-21, 15-11 win at No. 2.
The third victory for Mercer came from the No. 5 pairing of Demi-Shay Watchorn and Alyssa Kirkman. The duo won fairly comfortably, grabbing a two-set win by a final of 21-19, 21-14.
The Bears are now 4-7 against Jacksonville in the all-time series, winning four of the last five meetings.
FINAL SCORES
1. Emma Peel/Sophie Peel (MER) def. Kelly Koop/Mayara Prestes (JU) 21-17, 21-9
2. Tori Penrod/Emily Krogman (MER) def. Mackenzie Swan/Cristina Finan (JU) 21-10, 16-21, 15-11
3. Emily Laskelle/Katie Krawczyk (JU) def. Gretja Otten/Jessica Johnson (MER) 19-21, 21-15, 15-10
4. Shelby Babowicz/Olga Nushtayeva (JU) def. Ellie James/Morgan MacGilvary (MER) 21-17, 21-14
5. Demi-Shay Watchorn/Alyssa Kirkman (MER) def. Gaby Nieto Gomez/Hanna McMahon (JU) 21-19, 21-14
RECORD UPDATE
The Bears improve to 8-9 on the season and 2-4 in Atlantic Sun action while Jacksonville falls to 6-10 on the year and 1-5 in league play.
UP NEXT
Mercer wraps up the regular season by welcoming Stetson to Macon on Tuesday, April 5 for a pair of afternoon matches. The first serve of the day is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the second match will follow.
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.
