Bears Open Southern Conference Play at Home this Weekend

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer volleyball team will open Southern Conference play, hosting Western Carolina and UNCG at Hawkins Arena this weekend.

The Bears' first match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start on Friday, Sept. 21 against Western Carolina, followed by a 2 p.m. clash with UNCG on Saturday.

FRIDAY VS. WESTERN CAROLINA (6-6, 0-1)
Date/Time: Sept. 21 | 6 p.m.
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Follow Along: mercerbears.com/livestats
Watch: mercerbears.com/watch
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SATURDAY VS. UNCG (6-6, 0-0)
Date/Time: Sept. 22 | 2 p.m.
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Follow Along: mercerbears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SERIES HISTORY
Mercer split with conference foe Western Carolina last season, sweeping them 3-0 the first matchup and slipping 3-1 in the second showdown. The Catamounts lead the series history with a 14-7 overall record. UNCG leads the series history 8-3 with most recent wins taking place last season. The Spartans outlasted the Bears 3-1 in the first matchup and swept the Orange and Black in the second match.

SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA
The No. 8 preseason pick, Western Carolina (6-6, 0-1), heads into Friday's matchup after a recent 3-0 sweep against ETSU on Wednesday. The team is led by MaKenzie White and Merry Gebel who have each tallied 102 kills this season. Sydney Charlson ranks second in the SoCon totaling 18 service aces this season. The Catamount's defense is highlighted by Meagan Sanchez who ranks third in the league, averaging 4.71 digs per set.

SCOUTING UNCG
Before traveling to Macon, Ga. the Spartans will face The Citadel Friday evening to open SoCon play. UNCG ranks second in the SoCon in service aces, averaging 1.52 per set. Holly Behrends leads the offense with 103 kills for the season. Lauren Robeck backs the defense totaling 21 total blocks, with Mikaela Weidmann following closely behind with 21. Christina Gregory, another key player, adds 4.44 digs per set, ranking fifth in the conference.

NOTABLES

The Bears (7-4) head into conference play ranking second in the league, trailing ETSU (11-3). The Black and Orange are on a five-game win streak and are undefeated at home this season (4-0).
Mercer ranks third in the SoCon in hitting percentage (.206) and fourth in blocks per set (1.74). The Bears lead the league in opponent hitting percentage, forcing their opponents to hit .164 percent.
Paige Alsten has marked double-digit kills in five consecutive matches.
Alsten and Brittany Major were both named to the Mercer Bears Classic Tournament Team. Alsten was named Most Valuable Player.
Alsten leads the Bears totaling 132 kills for the season, ranking fifth in the SoCon by averaging 3.38 per set.
Maddie Nunley leads the Bears in assists, totaling 239 for the season, ranking fourth in the SoCon averaging 9.56 per set. The sophomore has split time with freshman, Molly Hackett, who ranks sixth in the SoCon, averaging 7.30 assists per set. They are the only duo to rank inside the top 10 in the league.
Emilee Wissmach ranks sixth in the SoCon with a team-best 4.05 digs per set.
Megan Smith ranks tenth in the league in service aces, registering 12 for the season.

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.

Bears Open Southern Conference Play at Home this Weekend

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Players Mentioned

Paige Alsten

Molly Hackett

Brittany Major

Maddie Nunley

Megan Smith

Emilee Wissmach

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