Bears Crowned Southern Conference Regular Season Champions

Friday, November 15

Macon, Ga.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

23-5,13-2SoCon

Wofford

19-8,11-4SoCon

Wofford

Mercer

Bears Crowned Southern Conference Regular Season Champions

11/15/2024 9:14:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Kaylin Flukey, kaylin.flukey@live.mercer.edu

MACON - The Mercer volleyball has been crowned 2024 Southern Conference Regular Season Champions after a thrilling five-set victory over second-place Wofford. The Bears earn their third SoCon Regular Season Champions title in five years and move to 23-5 on the season, continuing to make history.

Skye Ekes dominated on the front line for the Bears registering a match-high 18 kills. The Mercer defense combined for a total of 75 digs compared to Wofford's 65. Brooke Phillips led the defensive charge with 18 digs while also recording 48 assists, MeMe Davis was not far behind with 17 digs of her own. Gia Padilla and Skyler Bumpers posted impressive numbers at the net with 15 kills a piece.

The Bears return to Hawkins Arena tomorrow night to close out the regular season as they host UNC Greensboro for Senior Night. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

MATCH SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	Mercer 3, Wofford 2 (25-18, 25-12, 25-18)
RECORDS	Mercer 23-5, 13-2 SoCon; Wofford 19-8, 11-4 SoCon
ARENA	Macon, Ga. (Hawkins Arena)

MATCH REPLAY
SET 1 I 25-18	The Bears got off to a slow start falling 3-4 in the first few points of the set before a four-point service run from Davis put the Bears up 8-7. The Terriers fought back to make the score 16-15 before two service aces from Brooke Phillips shut the door on set one.
SET 2 I 22-25	Mercer struggled to find their footing throughout the set and was never able to fully grab the momentum back from the Terriers. Despite two big kills from Lou Johnson late in the match, the Terriers took advantage of the lead and won set two off of a kill.
SET 3 I 25-22	Set three saw another back and forth rally between the two squads exchanging lead scores. Two attack errors from Wofford allowed Mercer to take the set and enter set four with the momentum back on their side.
SET 4 \| 24-26	Mercer dropped the first three points to the Terriers in set four and fought back from behind to even the score 18-18. The Bears then came back from a three point deficit to tie it again 23-23 but it wasn't enough to overcome Wofford's hot front line.
SET 5 \| 15-13	The entire arena was on their feet during set five as the Bears took the court with the momentum on their side to take the regular season title. Mercer's seniors stepped up as Bumpers and Ekes recorded three kills a piece to lead Mercer to their third Regular Season Conference Champions title in five years.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
KILLS	Skye Ekes (18), Gia Padilla (15), Skyler Bumpers (15)
ASSISTS	Brooke Phillips (48), MeMe Davis (7), Abbey Havrilla (3)
DIGS	Brooke Phillips (18), MeMe Davis (17), Abbey Havrilla (12)
BLOCKS	Lou Johnson (3), Sophia Henry (2)
SERVICE ACES	Brooke Phillips (4), Skye Ekes (2)

UP NEXT
The Bears return to Hawkins Arena tomorrow night to close out the regular season as they host UNC Greensboro for Senior Night. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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