Mercer Opens Season at Jacksonville State Invitational

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer volleyball team kicks off the 2018 season this weekend with four matches at the Jacksonville State Invitational in Jacksonville, Ala.

Mercer's first match is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24 against Lamar. The Bears' second match on Friday will be played at 5:30 p.m. against Arkansas-Little Rock. Saturday's matches will be played at 12:30 p.m. against North Alabama and 8 p.m. against host Jacksonville State.

FRIDAY VS. LAMAR
Date/Time: Aug. 24 / 12:30 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville, Ala.
Follow Along: jsugamecocksports.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

FRIDAY VS. UALR
Date/Time: Aug. 24 / 5:30 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville, Ala.
Follow Along: jsugamecocksports.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SATURDAY VS. NORTH ALABAMA
Date/Time: Aug. 25 / 12:30 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville, Ala.
Follow Along: jsugamecocksports.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SATURDAY VS. JACKSONVILLE STATE
Date/Time: Aug. 25 / 8 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville, Ala.
Follow Along: jsugamecocksports.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SCOUTING LAMAR
The Cardinals went 4-22 overall last season. After losing six players and a head coach, the Cardinals welcome a brand new team this year, guided by head coach Michelle Kuester and eight newcomers. Tomar Thomas was voted to the Preseason All-Southland Conference Team after leading the Cardinals in kills per set (3.66) and total kills (282) last season.

SCOUTING UALR
Little Rock was picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference's West Division after going 9-19 overall last season. The Trojans return seven players from last year while adding five newcomers to the team. Veronica Marin is a focal point for Little Rock, having totaled 261 kills and 113 blocks in 2017. Other key players for the Trojans include senior libero Sydnee Martin (507 digs) and Taylor Lindberg (1033 assists), both of whom led the team in their respective positions.

SCOUTING NORTH ALABAMA
After leaving the Gulf South Conference, the Lions have made the transition to the ASUN Conference with new head coach, Bob White. After going 27-8 in 2017, North Alabama was picked eighth in the ASUN Preseason poll. Returning setter, Jayden Davila-McClary, led the Lions last season with 1,463 assists.

SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE STATE
After a 23-13 campaign last season, the Gamecocks announced Todd Garvey as their new head volleyball coach. Mackenzie Rombach will help lead Jacksonville State, as the senior was named to the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Team for the second straight year. Romback totaled 309 kills and 123 blocks last season. Jacksonville State lost in the first round of the OVC Tournament to Murray State, 3-1, but is seventh in this year's OVC preseason poll.

NOTABLES

Mercer went 10-21 (3-13 SoCon) last year, falling to Southern Conference regular season champion Furman, in the tournament quarterfinals.
The Bears return three starters, two of which are seniors, from last year's roster.
Mercer was picked seventh in the SoCon preseason coaches poll for the third consecutive year.
Senior middle blocker Paige Alsten returns as a crucial piece of Mercer's front line after leading the team in blocks (109) last year. She was Mercer's lone selection to the Preseason All-SoCon Team.
Sophomore libero/defensive specialist Emilee Wissmach will anchor the defense. As a freshman, Wissmach started all 31 matches while also leading the Bears in total digs (397).
Maddie Nunley returns as Mercer's most experienced setter, having totaled 384 assists as a freshman last year.
Seven newcomers will join the Bears this season: setter Molly Hackett, libero/defensive specialist Megan Smith, middle blocker Alexia Morey and outside hitters Roberta Todd, Annie Karle, Brittany Major and Ellie Miller.
The Bears went 1-2 in last year's season-opening weekend at the Gamecock Invitational, picking up a 3-1 win against Troy in the third match.

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.

Mercer Opens Season at Jacksonville State Invitational

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Players Mentioned

Paige Alsten

Molly Hackett

Annie Karle

Brittany Major

Ellie Miller

Alexia Morey

Maddie Nunley

Megan Smith

Roberta Todd

Emilee Wissmach

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