Volleyball Opens Season at Charlotte Invite

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University volleyball team kicks off the 2016 season this weekend with three matches at the Charlotte Invite, hosted by the 49ers. Mercer's first two matches will be on Friday, Aug. 26 against Campbell at 10 a.m. and Charlotte at 7 p.m., followed by facing South Florida at noon on Saturday, Aug. 27.

SCOUTING CAMPBELL
The Fighting Camels were picked to finish fourth in the Big South this season by league coaches following a 2016 season in which they finished 14-17 overall but made a run to their first Big South Championship appearance in nearly three decades. Eight players return from last year's team, highlighted by a pair of seniors: middle blocker Jenny Tait, who registered 301 points and setter Rebecca Ramirez, who led Campbell with 635 assists a year ago.

Campbell lost its lone 2015 All-Big South honoree, libero Mary Crema, but also returns sophomore right side hitter Rachel Harty, who leads all returning Campbell players with 240 kills.

Mercer owns a 13-12 all-time record against Campbell. The Fighting Camels won the last matchup between the two programs, a 3-2 loss for the Bears in 2010.

SCOUTING CHARLOTTE
Coming off of an 8-19 overall record under first-year head coach Karen Weatherington in 2015, the 49ers return two starters plus a libero this season. Their young squad – which was picked to finish ninth in the deep 13-team Conference USA preseason poll – features seven newcomers, including a pair of transfers. Junior outside hitter Kaylyn Torain led all returning Charlotte players with 145 kills a year ago.

The 49ers have hosted the Charlotte Invite the past two seasons, going 5-2 overall in such matches. They also own an 11-14 home mark since the 2014 season. Charlotte owns a 3-1 all-time advantage over the Bears.

SCOUTING SOUTH FLORIDA
Guided by fifth-year head coach Courtney Draper, USF returns 10 players, including its top eight point scorers, from a 2015 season that saw the Bulls finish 11-21 overall and 8-12 in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls were picked ninth in the 2016 American preseason coaches' poll as well.

Senior outside hitter Dakota Hampton (team-high 3.11 kills/set last year) leads USF as its lone preseason all-league pick. She will be joined by senior transfer and outside hitter T'ara Austin, who was the 2015 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year.

Saturday's match will be the first ever between the two programs.

NOTABLES

The Bears went 1-2 in last year's season-opening invitational at Southern Miss, picking up a 3-0 win against Southern in the third match.
Mercer is 6-6 in season-opening tournaments since head coach Damian Elder took the helm in 2012.
Sophomore middle blocker Paige Alsten will lead Mercer's defensive front line after topping the Southern Conference in blocks (135) last year.
Five of the Bears' top six point scorers from a year ago return, highlighted by junior outside hitter Morgan MacGilvary (385.0 points in 2015).
Veteran libero Tori Penrod will be a focal point of the Orange and Black's success this season. The senior led the Bears with 491 digs a year ago and ranked third among SoCon players with 4.77 digs per set.
Four of Mercer's 10 wins a year ago were in dominating fashion and came in straight sets.
Three freshman will join the fold for Mercer this season: libero/outside hitter Amber Gibson, outsider hitter Taylor Spence and outside hitter/defensive specialist Olivia Nation.

How to Follow the Bears:
For complete coverage of Mercer Volleyball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBearsVB (Twitter), and @mercervolleyball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

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Players Mentioned

Paige Alsten

Amber Gibson

Morgan MacGilvary

Olivia Nation

Tori Penrod

Taylor Spence

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