Bears Look to Continue Conference Streak on Road

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer volleyball team (5-8, 1-1) continues its conference schedule with two away matches against UNCG and Western Carolina, this weekend. Mercer's first match will be at UNCG on Friday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m., followed by another match at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Western Carolina.

FRIDAY VS. UNCG
Date/Time: Sept. 29 @ 6 p.m.
Location: Greensboro, N.C.
Follow Along: uncgspartans.com/live
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB
Watch Live: uncgspartans.com/watch

SATURDAY VS. WESTERN CAROLINA
Date/Time: Sept. 30 @ 6 p.m.
Location: Cullowhee, N.C.
Follow Along: catamountsports.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB
ESPN3: catamountsports.com/ESPN3

SERIES HISTORY | LAST MEETING
Mercer trails UNCG 5-3 in the all-time series. Last time the Bears and Spartans squared off, Mercer pulled out on top with a 3-1 win in Greensboro, N.C. The Bears trail Western Carolina 14-6 in the all-time series. Mercer and the Catamounts split the season series in 2016, as each team won on their own respective home courts. Mercer dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker in Cullowhee, N.C. last season, before rebounding for a 3-1 win in Hawkins Arena later in the year.

NOTABLES

Mercer leads the SoCon in hitting percentage (.218).
Paige Alsten tops the SoCon in hitting percentage (.376).
Morgan MacGilvary (16 kills, 11 digs) and Emily Krogman (11 kills, 12 digs) both led the team with respective double-doubles against The Citadel on Saturday, in a 3-1 victory.
Claire Waliczek leads the Bears in assists (436), ranking fifth in the SoCon.
Emily Krogman ranks second in the SoCon for service aces (23).

SCOUTING UNCG
UNCG (8-6, 1-1) is coming off a 3-0 loss against Chattanooga on Saturday. Key players for the Spartans, who were also picked for the SoCon preseason team, include Ashley Muench, who leads the Spartans with 3.78 kills per set and 11 service aces for the season and Allison Penner who adds 10.49 assists per set, totaling 514 for the season. UNCG was picked to finish second in the league this season. Christina Gregory, who earned Libero of the Year last year is the backbone to the Spartan's defense and is averaging 4.39 digs per set.

SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA
Western Carolina is coming off a 3-2 win at Chattanooga for the first time since 2013. Abigail Veit led the Catamounts with a double-double (18 kills, 18 digs). Senior setter, Jo-Leigh VerVelde had a career-high of 51 assists and is ranked fourth in the SoCon. Katie O'Connor leads the team in total blocks with 47 with Aleah Keaton right behind her with 46. O'Connor is also second in the SoCon in hitting percentage (.320). The Catamounts (6-9, 1-1) will face Samford on Friday night before squaring off against the Bears on Saturday.

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

Bears Look to Continue Conference Streak on Road

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Players Mentioned

Paige Alsten

Emily Krogman

Morgan MacGilvary

Claire Waliczek

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