Bears Back in Win Column with Sweep of Bucs

Sunday, March 21

Macon, Ga.

3 p.m.

Mercer University

11-7,11-4SoCon

ETSU

5-8,5-8SoCon

ETSU

Mercer

3/21/2021 5:30:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Annie Karle recorded her fifth straight double-double

By: Jesika Moore

MACON, Ga. –The Mercer Bears are back in the win column with a 3-0 sweep of the ETSU Bucs on Sunday afternoon in Hawkins Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set One (25-17) |The Bears were quick to take the lead, scoring 10 of the first 16 points. Jaida Howell, Lexi Uhrhan, Rayanne de Oliveira, Annie Karle, and Taylor Lynch each recorded a kill. Uhrhan served up two aces to help the Bears. The Black and Orange would go on a 7-3 run to take a 17-10 lead. ETSU closed the gap after going on a 6-0 run. A service error from the Bucs and a service ace from Annie Karle would put Mercer within five points of taking the first set. ETSU would score once more before the Bears scored five straight to take set one.

Set Two (25-23) | Mercer was quick to jump out with the lead. Malia Randolph, Annie Karle, and Jaida Howell scored the Bears first four earned points. The Bucs answered with four straight to take a one point lead. The two squads traded a few points and the Bucs went on a 5-0 run to take an 18-14 lead. Mercer responded with a 5-1 run to tie the set at 19. Brittany Major, Karle, and Lynch each scored a point during the run. Mercer and ETSU traded points again, but Annie Karle ended the set with a kill to give the Bears a two set lead.

Set Three (25-21) | ETSU started on top in the third set, taking a 9-7 lead. An attack error would give the Bears a point but ETSU scored three straight to take a four point lead. A block from Howell and Randolph, a kill from Lynch, and two Bucs errors would put the Bears within one. Mercer would go on an 8-1 run to take the lead at 20-16. Five different Bears would score during the run- Annie Karle, Rayanne de Oliveira, Malia Randolph, Brittany Major, and Agnieska Paskevic. The Bucs would try to fight their way back but Mercer would take the set and match.

DEX QUOTE
"Nice to get back in the win column. We have been stressed all year that Covid or injury would derail us and that stared us in the face today but we persevered and found a 10^th win. I'm proud of all of my girls. That one was resilient and confident."

NOTABLES

Annie Karle recorded her ninth double-double of the season and her fifth straight with 12 kills and 12 digs.
Malia Randolph and Agnieska Paskevic shared the assists today, Randolph with 16 and Paskevic with 11.
Lexi Uhrhan recorded a kill in the match, bringing the libero's season total to two.
Jaida Howell and Rayanne de Oliveira led the team with three blocks each.

UP NEXT
The Bears will conclude their home season with the series finale against the ETSU Bucs tomorrow night. The match is set for 6 p.m.

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.