Mercer University
UAB
Bears Down UAB, Fall to South Carolina
3/11/2017 4:53:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
Opening day at Gamecock Challenge yields a split for Mercer
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A dominant 4-1 victory over UAB highlighted two matches played by Mercer on the opening day of the Gamecock Challenge at Wheeler Beach on Saturday, March 11.
The Bears additionally fell, 1-4, to nationally ranked No. 15 (AVCA) South Carolina in the back end of the two matches played. Mercer stands at 5-2 overall, maintaining its best start in program history.
Mercer's top three seeds earned wins over the Blazers, including two-set sweeps by No. 1 Emily Krogman/Tori Penrod and No. 2 Sophie Peel/Emma Peel. Tied 1-1 after the No. 2 and No. 4 seed matches, Mercer clinched the overall victory with wins in the No. 1 an No. 5 seeds. The Bears improved to 7-8 all-time against UAB.
In the afternoon match against host South Carolina, the Gamecocks claimed the first three seeds played before Penrod/Krogman gave Mercer its lone match win in the No. 1 seed, which was played last. Mercer's No. 2-5 seeds all fell in straight sets; Penrod/Krogman needed three sets to eventually come away with a solid 21-19, 16-21, 15-10 win in the No. 1 seed.
The loss was the first of the season for the Peel sisters in the No. 2 seed as they dropped to 6-1. South Carolina is now 3-1 all-time over Mercer.
UAB MATCH BREAKDOWN
- Tori Penrod/Emily Krogman (MER) def. Avei Logoleo/Erika Zembyla (UAB) 21-14, 21-12
- Emma Peel/Sophie Peel (MER) def. Emily Martinez/Avery Hoven (UAB) 21-12, 21-18
- Claire Waliczek/Danielle Faust (MER) def. Morgan Smith/Katarina Jovicic (UAB) 16-21, 21-14, 15-8
- Gabbi Moreno/Rachel Evans (UAB) def. Gretja Otten/Jessica Johnson (MER) 21-18, 21-15
- Amber Gibson/Marina Chavez (MER) def. Brittney Munro/Kalah Jones (UAB) 21-17, 21-17
- (EXH.): Abigail Moss/Marina Chavez (MER) def. Brittney Munro/Kalah Jones (UAB) 21-17, 21-18
SOUTH CAROLINA MATCH BREAKDOWN
- Emily Krogman/Tori Penrod (MER) def. Katie Zimmerman/Katie Smith (SC) 21-19, 16-21, 15-10
- Adrianna Culbert/Ali Denney (SC) def. Emma Peel/Sophie Peel (MER) 21-13, 21-17
- Carly Schnieder/Julia Mannisto (SC) def. Danielle Faust/Claire Waliczek (MER) 21-17, 21-19
- Macie Tendrich/Shannon Williams (SC) def. Gretja Otten/Jessica Johnson (MER) 21-12, 21-18
- Jade Vitt/Franky Harrison (SC) def. Demi-Shay Watchorn/Madison Kerr (MER) 21-14, 21-12
- (EXH.): Delaney Wood/AJ Baumann (SC) def. Lela McIntosh/Morgan MacGilvary (MER) 21-12, 17-21, 15-12
PAIR OF THE MATCHES
After suffering their first defeat of the season in the No. 1 seed against #7 Georgia State, Emily Krogman and Tori Penrod got back to their winning ways with a pair of victories Saturday. The duo improved to 6-1 on the year by defeating UAB in straight sets and following it up with a three-set win over #15 South Carolina for Mercer's only win of the match.
RECORDS UPDATE
- Mercer: 5-2
- UAB: 4-2
- #15 South Carolina: 5-0
UP NEXT
- Mercer: faces #11 Grand Canyon and Jacksonville on Sunday, March 12 at Gamecock Challenge in Columbia, S.C.
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.
Â
