Saturday, September 22
Macon, Ga.
2 PM
Mercer University
8-5,1-1
2
vs
3
UNCG
7-7,1-1
1
2
3
4
5
F
UNCG
22
25
13
25
16
3
Mercer
25
20
25
20
14
2
Team Stats
UNCG
MER
Kills
50
63
Errors
21
30
Attempts
156
155
Hitting %
.186
.213
Points
65.0
80.0
Assists
47
56
Aces
5
7
Blocks
10.0
10.0
Game Leaders
Kills
20
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
19
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Volleyball
L/OH
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
S/OPP
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
Photo by: Judy Stapleton
Bears’ Win Streak Snapped in Loss to UNCG
9/22/2018 9:11:00 PM | Volleyball
Mercer takes Spartans to fifth set in SoCon defeat
MACON, Ga. – Mercer (8-5, 1-1 SoCon) was defeated by UNCG in its first five-set match of the season on Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Arena.
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The 3-2 loss (25-22, 20-25, 25-13, 20-25, 14-16) was Mercer's first Southern Conference loss and gave the Bears a split in conference play this weekend.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 (25-22) | Set one started with a bang as Mercer's Amber Gibson rolled in a service ace. After an 8-1 run, the Bears took the early lead, 11-4. The Spartans notched five straight points to pull within two (11-9). After three ties, (13-13, 14-14 and 16-16) the Bears were able to pull ahead on a 8-1 run led by Roberta Todd and Annie Karl with two kills each to lead 23-18. Todd closed out the first set, 25-22, with two final kills.
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Set 2 (20-25) | Mercer found itself trailing the entire set after a quick 4-1 deficit to start the set. The Bears were only able to pull within one point twice (5-6 and 8-9). Despite a late 3-0 run, which including a kill from both Todd and Karle, the Bears were unable to pull out the set win. Â
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Set 3 (25-13) | After back-and-forth points to begin set three, the Bears finally took control with six straight points, initiated by Olivia Sass' serving. After a quick Spartan point, Mercer had another 9-2 run to maintain its lead, 17-6. Mercer closed out the set 25-13 with two kills for both Todd and Paige Alsten.
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Set 4 (20-25) | Five lead changes started set four before UNCG took ahold of the score at 9-8. The Bears' offense was able to add a 5-2 run, pulling with two points of the Spartans (14-16). UNCG managed to outscore Mercer 9-6 to take set four and tying up the match 2-2.
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Set 5 (14-16) | Two automatic Spartan points were quickly answered with two Mercer points to begin the final set. UNCG scored three-consecutive points taking the lead 5-2. After back-and-forth points, the Bears were able to find the opposite side of the net for a 5-1 run, tying the match at 12. Despite a kill by Alsten and service ace from Emilee Wissmach, the Bears were unable to slow the Spartan's offense who scored the final three points to take the match.
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NOTABLES
RECORDS UPDATE
NEXT MATCH
Mercer travels to South Carolina to face Furman Friday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. before competing against Wofford on Saturday at 4 p.m.
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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.
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The 3-2 loss (25-22, 20-25, 25-13, 20-25, 14-16) was Mercer's first Southern Conference loss and gave the Bears a split in conference play this weekend.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 (25-22) | Set one started with a bang as Mercer's Amber Gibson rolled in a service ace. After an 8-1 run, the Bears took the early lead, 11-4. The Spartans notched five straight points to pull within two (11-9). After three ties, (13-13, 14-14 and 16-16) the Bears were able to pull ahead on a 8-1 run led by Roberta Todd and Annie Karl with two kills each to lead 23-18. Todd closed out the first set, 25-22, with two final kills.
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Set 2 (20-25) | Mercer found itself trailing the entire set after a quick 4-1 deficit to start the set. The Bears were only able to pull within one point twice (5-6 and 8-9). Despite a late 3-0 run, which including a kill from both Todd and Karle, the Bears were unable to pull out the set win. Â
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Set 3 (25-13) | After back-and-forth points to begin set three, the Bears finally took control with six straight points, initiated by Olivia Sass' serving. After a quick Spartan point, Mercer had another 9-2 run to maintain its lead, 17-6. Mercer closed out the set 25-13 with two kills for both Todd and Paige Alsten.
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Set 4 (20-25) | Five lead changes started set four before UNCG took ahold of the score at 9-8. The Bears' offense was able to add a 5-2 run, pulling with two points of the Spartans (14-16). UNCG managed to outscore Mercer 9-6 to take set four and tying up the match 2-2.
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Set 5 (14-16) | Two automatic Spartan points were quickly answered with two Mercer points to begin the final set. UNCG scored three-consecutive points taking the lead 5-2. After back-and-forth points, the Bears were able to find the opposite side of the net for a 5-1 run, tying the match at 12. Despite a kill by Alsten and service ace from Emilee Wissmach, the Bears were unable to slow the Spartan's offense who scored the final three points to take the match.
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NOTABLES
- Mercer snapped its six-game win streak and are now 5-1 at home.
- Mercer earned more kills than the Spartans, notching 63 to their 50. The Bears also recorded 56 assists to Western Carolina's 47, and 76 digs (Bears) to 54 (Spartans). The Black and Orange registered 80.0 total points to UNCG's 65.0.
- Roberta Todd notched a team-high and Mercer career-high 20 kills and added 16 digs for her second consecutive double-double.
- Paige Alsten notched 19 kills, marking the seventh consecutive match with double-digit kills. Alsten also hit a season-high .515 (19 kills, 33 attacks, 2 errors).
- Annie Karle earned a new season-high 10 kills and three total blocks.
- Brittany Major contributed 15 kills and two blocks and was a key factor in the second set, notching eight of her 15 kills.
- Maddie Nunley marked her fourth double-double for the season tying her season-high 50 assists and 11 digs. The sophomore setter also added three kills and four blocks.
- Amber Gibson led the way with a team-high 17 digs with Emilee Wissmach and Todd following closely behind with 16.
RECORDS UPDATE
- Mercer: 8-5, 1-1 SoCon
- UNCG: 7-7, 1-1 SoCon
NEXT MATCH
Mercer travels to South Carolina to face Furman Friday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. before competing against Wofford on Saturday at 4 p.m.
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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.
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