Mercer Upsets Samford in Monday Night Matchup

Monday, February 1

Macon, Ga.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

Samford

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

Mercer Upsets Samford in Monday Night Matchup

2/1/2021 9:32:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Rayanne de Oliviera matched her season high 10 kills in the win

By: Jesika Moore

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Bears upset the Samford Bulldogs, 3-1, in an outstanding performance on Monday night in Hawkins Arena.

MERCER VS. SAMFORD

Set One (25-23) | Mercer jumped out to an early 2-0 lead behind kills from Jaida Howell and Brittany Major. Two kills from Annie Karle would add to the Bears lead, 4-2. Samford retaliated, taking a 12-9 lead. The Black and Orange wouldn't let the lead discourage them. Howell's kills and the Bulldog's errors would help the Bears cut their deficit to one. A kill from Taylor Lynch would start a 5-1 run for the Bears. Mercer would cap off the set due to errors from the Bulldogs.

Set Two (20-25) | Agnieska Paskevic started the set for the Bears with a service ace. Samford jumped back and both teams traded points. Jaida Howell tied the game at 13 with a kill from Paskevic. The Bears and Bulldogs continued to keep the game close until Samford topped the set with a 4-3 run.

Set Three (25-20) | The Black and Orange went down 2-5 early in the third set. A 9-2 run in the middle would give the Bears a two point lead. Rayanne de Oliviera, Taylor Lynch, and Annie Karle were pivotal in the run registering kills and aces. Mercer would go on two more 3-0 run to coast their way to a 2-1 lead in the match.

Set Four (25-19) |The Bears started the last set strong, taking nine of the first 12 points. Eight of the nine points were Samford errors. Jaida Howell scored the Bears only earned point of the run with a kill from Agnieska Paskevic. Karle, Randolph, and de Oliviera each registered kills to help grow the Bears lead to five points. Points from Karle, Lynch, and Randolph put the Bears at match point. Rayanne de Oliviera would secure the Bears win with a service ace.

UP NEXT
Mercer will head to Greensboro, N.C. to take on the UNCG Spartans for a pair of matches February 7 and 8. The matches are set for 6 p.m. on Sunday and 5 p.m. on Monday.

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.