Mercer to Host Mercer Bears Classic this Weekend

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer volleyball team will host Alabama A&M, UT Martin and Jacksonville for the 2018 Mercer Bears Classic this weekend at Hawkins Arena.

A total of six matches will be played on Sept. 7-8 in Mercer's first home tournament in two seasons. The Bears' first match is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday against Alabama A&M, followed by a 6 p.m. clash with UT Martin. Mercer will then conclude its tournament with a 1 p.m. match against Jacksonville on Saturday.

MEET AND GREET
Mercer fans will have the chance to meet their favorite volleyball players following the conclusion of the Mercer vs. Jacksonville match at 1 p.m. Saturday. Posters will be available for an autograph session as well as a photo opportunity.

FRIDAY VS. ALABAMA A&M
Date/Time: Sept. 7 | 11 a.m.
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Follow Along: mercerbears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

FRIDAY VS. UT MARTIN
Date/Time: Sept. 7 | 6 p.m.
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Follow Along: mercerbears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SATURDAY VS. JACKSONVILLE
Date/Time: Sept. 8 | 1 p.m.
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Follow Along: mercerbears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerBearsVB

SERIES HISTORY
Mercer last faced Alabama A&M in 2016 when the Bears walked away with a 3-0 sweep, extending their series lead to 5-1. The Bears trail Jacksonville, 26-4 in their all-time series, most recently falling to the Dolphins in straight sets in 2013. Mercer has not faced UT Martin since 2010; they own a 2-2 record all-time against one another.

SCOUTING ALABAMA A&M
Alabama A&M enters the weekend at 3-5 overall after being swept in the Southern Illinois Invitational last weekend. Jaelin Gant leads the Bulldogs, averaging 2.48 kills per set, while Megan Evans (6.79 assists per set) is the team's top setter. Defensively, Maci Battle leads the team with 3.32 digs per set.

SCOUTING UT MARTIN
After a successful 3-1 weekend at its Skyhawk Invitational, UT Martin heads into Mercers' tournament with a 4-3 record. The team's top statistical leaders are Megan Fair (73 kills), Kenzie Hinshaw (271 assists) and Brooke Gyori (5.03 digs per set).

SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville is winless so far this season under new head coach Evan Muys. Mallory Mattingly (3.10 kills per set) and Lauren Petersen (7.95 assists per set) lead the offense. Natalie Wehner backs the defense tallying 2.70 digs per set.

NOTABLES

The Mercer Bears Classic will be the first tournament held on the main court of Hawkins Arena since the Bear Brawl in 2011.
Mercer is coming off a 3-0 sweep against Florida A&M on Tuesday, hitting a season-best .302. Top hitting percentages included Paige Alsten (.500), Alexia Morey (.438) and Brittany Major (.368).
Alsten and Roberta Todd recorded season-high kills against Florida A&M notching 17 apiece.
Alsten leads the offense and ranks fifth in the SoCon recording 3.18 kills per set and records a .285 hitting percentage. Morey trails at tenth place with a .255 hitting percentage.
Setters Maddie Nunley and Molly Hackett rank fourth and sixth in the SoCon in assits per set with 8.81 and 7.81, respectively. They are the only teammate duo to rank inside the top 10 in the league.
Emilee Wissmach ranks sixth in the SoCon with a Mercer-best 3.93 digs per set.

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 to Host Mercer Bears Classic this Weekend

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Players Mentioned

Paige Alsten

Molly Hackett

Brittany Major

Alexia Morey

Maddie Nunley

Roberta Todd

Emilee Wissmach

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