Mercer Continues SoCon Play in South Carolina

Friday, September 28

Greenville, SC

6 PM

Mercer University

Furman

Photo by: Judy Stapleton

Mercer Continues SoCon Play in South Carolina

9/27/2018 9:40:00 AM | Volleyball

Bears will battle Furman Friday, Wofford Saturday

By: Mary Bess Skinner

MACON, Ga. – Mercer (8-5, 1-1) will travel to South Carolina this weekend to take on a pair of Southern Conference foes, including preseason favorite Furman on Friday, Sept. 28 in Greenville, S.C. and Wofford on Saturday, Sept. 29 in Spartanburg, S.C.

Both matches will be broadcasted on the SoCon Digital Network.

FRIDAY VS. FURMAN (4-9, 0-2)
Date/Time: Sept. 28 | 6 p.m.
Location: Greenville, S.C.
Follow Along: furmanpaladins.com
Watch: SoCon Digital Network
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SATURDAY VS. WOFFORD (7-8, 0-2)
Date/Time: Sept. 28 | 4 p.m.
Location: Spartanburg, S.C.
Follow Along: woffordterriers.com
Watch: SoCon Digital Network
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SERIES HISTORY
Mercer fell to the Paladins three times last season, 3-1 and 3-0 in the regular season before dropping another 3-1 decision in the SoCon Tournament. Furman leads the all-time series, 15-5.

The Bears are tied 8-8 all-time with Wofford, which they dropped a pair of regular-season matches to last season (3-0, 3-1).

SCOUTING FURMAN
SoCon preseason favorite Furman heads into Friday with a 4-9 (0-2 SoCon) record after dropping its opening conference matches to Samford and Chattanooga last weekend. The team is led by Jordan McNeill and Madison Gresham, who have tallied 110 and 104 kills, respectively, this season. Meg DeMaar ranks third in the SoCon with 4.6 digs per set and 19 service aces.

SCOUTING WOFFORD
Before hosting the Bears on Saturday, Wofford will face The Citadel on Friday evening. Wofford ranks second in the SoCon in total blocks, averaging 1.89 per set, with Colleen Reilly leading the league with 59 total. Holly Behrends leads Wofford's offense with 103 kills this season. Taylor Gill is a key piece for Wofford's defense, leading the SoCon in digs per set (5.65). Catie Cronister is Wofford's key offensive player, averaging 3.42 kills per set and 20 total service aces for the season.

NOTABLES

The Bears own the second-most overall wins (8) among SoCon teams entering the weekend, trailing ETSU (11-3).
The Black and Orange are on a five-game win streak and have not lost a match at home (4-0).
Mercer ranks third in the SoCon in hitting percentage (.204) and fourth in kills (12.65) and blocks per set (1.85).
Mercer ranks 36th nationally and leads the SoCon in opponent hitting percentage, forcing their opponents to hit just .162.
Paige Alsten has tallied double-digit kills in seven consecutive matches.
Alsten leads Mercer with 169 kills and ranks fourth among SoCon players with 3.52 kills per set.
Maddie Nunley leads Mercer in assists (339). She ranks fourth in the league with 9.97 per set.
Emilee Wissmach ranks seventh in the SoCon with a Mercer-best 3.83 digs per set.
Megan Smith ranks tenth in the league in service aces, registering 15 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.