Mercer University
Stetson
No. 9 Stetson Too Much for Mercer in Regular Season Finale
4/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Beach Volleyball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer beach volleyball team wrapped up regular season play against the best team in the Atlantic Sun Conference in No. 9 Stetson on Tuesday. The Bears battled with the Hatters but ultimately fell in both matches by scores of 4-1 and 5-0.
MATCH ONE
The Bears gave the visitors all they could ask for in the first match of the afternoon. Mercer claimed a straight-set win at the No. 2 position, as the sister duo of Emma and Sophie Peel notched a 21-11, 21-19 win.
The Orange and Black went three sets in three of the other four matches but were unable to pull out a victory, falling 2-1 at No. 3, 4 and 5. The only match that the Bears lost in straight sets came against one of the most dominant pairs in the country. The Hatters' No. 1 duo of Sara Putt and Vendy Strakova entered the match with a 22-1 record on the year. Tori Penrod and Emily Krogman fought valiantly but came up just short losing a tight 21-17, 21-19 decision.
FINAL SCORES
1. Sara Putt/Vendy Strakova (STET) def. Emily Krogman/Tori Penrod (MER) 21-17, 21-19
2. Emma Peel/Sophie Peel (MER) def. Rachel Noble/Kristin Lind (STET) 21-11, 21-19
3. Kaylee Anderson/Emily Carroll (STET) def. Madison Kerr/Morgan MacGilvary (MER) 21-17, 19-21, 15-6
4. Madison Akins/Samantha Harris (STET) def. Gretja Otten/Jessica Johnson (MER) 21-18, 21-23, 15-12
5. Alexa Richardson/Jamie Walsh (STET) def. Claire Waliczek/Ellie James (MER) 20-22, 21-18, 15-6
MATCH TWO
The Orange and Black did not go quietly in the second match of the day, despite the 5-0 final score. The Penrod and Krogman pairing at No. 2 went three sets but Stetson did just enough to win 22-20, 17-21, 18-16.
Mercer's pair of Gretja Otten and Jessica Johnson at the No. 4 spot also went the distance for the second time of the day. Otten and Johnson won the first set convincingly 21-11 but Stetson rallied to take the second 21-17 and then did just enough in the third to come away with a 15-12 victory for the set.
The Bears are now 1-11 against Stetson in the all-time series.
FINAL SCORES
1. Vendy Strakova/Sara Putt (STET) def. Emma Peel/Sophie Peel (MER) 21-11, 21-17
2. Kristin Lind/Rachel Noble (STET) def. Tori Penrod/Emily Krogman (MER) 22-20, 17-21, 18-16
3. Kaylee Anderson/Emily Carroll (STET) def. Madison Kerr/Morgan MacGilvary (MER) 21-12, 21-5
4. Madison Akins/Samantha Harris (STET) def. Gretja Otten/Jessica Johnson (MER) 11-21, 21-17, 15-12
5. Jamie Walsh/Alexa Richardson (STET) def. Lela McIntosh/Heather Swann (MER) 21-19, 21-16
RECORD UPDATE
The Bears drop to 8-11 on the season and 2-6 in Atlantic Sun action while Stetson improves to 20-6 on the year and 7-1 in league play.
UP NEXT
Mercer has the majority of April off as the team prepares for the Atlantic Sun Championship from April 22-24. The conference tourney will take place in Emerson, Ga.
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.
