Bears Defeated in Opening Match of Charleston Invitational

Friday, September 15

Charleston, S.C.

4:30 p.m.

Mercer University

4-5

Buffalo

6-3

Buffalo

Mercer

Photo by: Travis Bell

Bears Defeated in Opening Match of Charleston Invitational

9/15/2017 8:29:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Mary Bess Skinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2017
Contact: Mary Bess Skinner
C: (706) 346-8130
E: mary.bess.skinner@live.mercer.edu

Bears Defeated in Opening Match of Charleston Invitational

Charleston, S.C. – Mercer fell to Buffalo, 1-3 (25-17, 16-25, 22-25, 24-26), in its opening contest of the Charleston Invitational at TD Arena on Friday. The loss was Mercer's (4-5) third straight while Buffalo improved to 6-3 overall.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 (25-17) | A 5-0 run started the set off on a high note for Mercer. After Buffalo made a three-point run to try to catch up, it was quickly stopped by an assisted block from Emily Krogman and Maria Avramova. Another 5-0 run helped push the Bears to a 14-5 score difference. Morgan MacGilvary hit for a .667 average including four kills. The Bulls' nine attack errors, compared to Mercer's one attack error, directed the Bears to the opening win.

Set 2 (16-25) | After starting off slow, the Bulls claimed the lead in set two with a 7-3 run. The Bears quickly retaliated with an 8-2 run that tied the score up at 11-11. After another run by the Bulls, they capped off the set with a kill. Mercer dropped its hitting percentage from .364 to .152 in the set.

Set 3 (22-25) | An 11-4 run by Mercer tied the third set at 17-17 and the Bears never strayed farther than a two-point deficit until Buffalo sealed the set with match point. Mercer recorded four service errors as Buffalo capitalized and scored off four aces.

Set 4 (24-26) | Mercer led 22-17 late in the set before a rally by Buffalo tied the set at 23-23. The two teams traded points to remain tied 24-24, but a kill and ace by the Bulls dropped Mercer in the match.

NOTABLES

Maddie Nunley totaled 10 assists in the fourth set, which is the highest single-set total of her career.
Danielle Faust led the team in hitting percentage (.474).
Paige Alsten led the team with 13 kills (.321).
Emily Krogman totaled a team-high three blocks.

RECORD UPDATE

Mercer: 4-5
Buffalo: 6-3

UP NEXT
Mercer will play a pair of matches against College of Charleston and Appalachian State at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively, Saturday. Both matches are part of the Charleston Invitational.

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.