Mercer Continues Invitational Play at UT Martin

Friday, September 20

Martin, Tenn.

10 a.m.

Mercer University

Little Rock

Photo by: Ava Johnson

Mercer Continues Invitational Play at UT Martin

9/19/2019 10:01:00 AM | Volleyball

Bears will play Little Rock, UT Martin, and Evansville

By: Jesika Moore

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Volleyball squad will head to Martin, Tennessee to compete in the Skyhawk Invitational Friday and Saturday at the Skyhawk Fieldhouse.

Mercer will take on Little Rock Friday morning at 10 a.m. Friday night they will go against host UT Martin at 7 p.m. The Bears will close out the tournament Saturday morning when they take on Evansville at 11 a.m.

FRIDAY VS. LITTLE ROCK
Date | Time: Sept 20 | 10 a.m.
Location: Martin, Tenn. | Skyhawk Fieldhouse
Follow Along: UTSkyhawks.com/LiveStats
Follow: @MercerBearsVB

FRIDAY AT UT MARTIN
Date | Time: Sept 20 | 7 p.m.
Location: Martin, Tenn. | Skyhawk Fieldhouse
Follow Along: UTSkyhawks.com/LiveStata
Follow: @MercerBearsVB

SATURDAY VS. EVANSVILLE
Date |Time: Sept 21 | 11 a.m.
Location: Martin, Tenn. | Skyhawk Fieldhouse
Follow Along: UTSkyhawks.com/LiveStats
Follow: @MercerBearsVB

NOTABLES

Sophomore Annie Karle set three season-highs against Southern at the UNO Invitational- 20 kills, 25.5 points, and five aces.
The Black and Orange rank first in service aces (1.88) and ranks third in hitting percentage (.215) in the SoCon.
Mercer leads the SoCon in kills by opponent, holding them to a .971 average per set.
Nya Steele has a two game streak of recording 40+ assists- setting her season high 49 against New Orleans.
Jaida Howell ranks third in the SoCon in hitting percentage with .349%.

SCOUTING THE TROJANS
The Trojans are coming off a 3-1 win against Central Arkansas at the UCA invitational Saturday. Little Rock is led by head coach Van Compton, who enters her 32^nd year at the helm. The Trojans went 19-13 in the 2018 season, losing to California Baptist at the Women's NIVC. Sophomore Laura Jensen and senior Carol Barbosa lead the team with 62 kills apiece.

SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS
UT Martin ended the 2018 season 14-17, losing in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship against No. 2 Murray State. Jaclynn Wilson enters her fifth season as the head coach of the Skyhawks. UT Martin welcomes back nine players, including setter Kenzie Hinshaw who led the team in assists and service aces.

SCOUTING THE ACES
The Aces are led by interim head coach Fernando Morales, who joined the Purple Aces staff as Assistant Volleyball Coach in 2018. Evansville is coming off a 3-2 win against Tennessee Tech Tuesday night where senior Rachel Tam led the team with 39 kills. The Purple Aces ended the 2018 season 10-21 overall, 4-14 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

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.