Bears Dominate On Day One Of MU Invitational

Friday, September 13

Macon, Ga.

1 p.m.

Mercer University

7-1,0-0SoCon

Elon

4-5,0-0CAA

Elon

Mercer

9/13/2024 5:25:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

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

MACON - The Mercer volleyball team extended its win streak today after two dominating wins against Elon and Southern Miss. during day one of the MU Invitational. The Bears currently stand with an 8-1 record, continuing to make program history.

The Bears opened up the day with a sweep against Elon and returned to the court later that night to face Southern Miss. in a thrilling four-set victory. Mercer put up impressive numbers throughout the day, including Gia Padilla posting her third double-double of the season and a season-high 14 kills against Southern Miss. Brooke Phillips registered 45 assists in game two of the day, also a season-high for the graduate student. Once again, MeMe led the defense with 31 digs across both matches.

The Bears will return to Hawkins Arena tomorrow afternoon for a match against Presbyterian to close out the MU Invitational. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

MATCH SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	Mercer 3, Elon 0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-18)
RECORDS	Mercer 7-1; Elon 4-5
ARENA	Hawkins Arena (Macon, Ga.) -- MU Invitational

MATCH REPLAY
SET 1 I 25-14	Mercer came out in typical Bear fashion taking the lead immediately and not letting up on the gas. Abbey Havrilla went on a seven-point service run to extend the lead for Mercer 11-3. Multiple kills from Gia Padilla and Skye Ekes shut the door on set one of the match.
SET 2 I 25-11	The Bears fell behind in the first couple of points due to errors but quickly bounced back after a Lou Johnson kill to take the lead and keep it for the remainder of the set. Mercer held the Phoenix to 11 points on the set hitting .481 as a team compared to Elon's .240. Skyler Bumpers and Sydney VanCott closed out the set with a pair of kills.
SET 3 I 25-18	The two squads battled back and forth during most of the match with three lead changes but Mercer was able to pull away at the 21-17 mark after a kill by Ekes and a three-point service run from Bella Wynja. In typical Mercer fashion, the set and match was finished off with a powerful Ekes kill.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
KILLS	Skye Ekes (13), Gia Padilla (8), Skyler Bumpers (7)
ASSISTS	Brooke Phillips (27), MeMe Davis (2), Gia Padilla (2)
DIGS	MeMe Davis (12), Gia Padilla (10), Brooke Phillips (7)
BLOCKS	Skyler Bumpers (2), Skye Ekes (1)
SERVICE ACES	Abbey Havrilla (3), Brooke Phillips (3), MeMe Davis (2)

MATCH SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	Mercer 3, Southern Miss 1 (25-8, 25-19, 24-26, 25-27)
RECORDS	Mercer 8-1; Southern Miss 4-4
ARENA	Hawkins Arena (Macon, Ga.) -- MU Invitational

MATCH REPLAY
SET 1 I 25-15	Even with the long break in between games, the Bears carried the momentum from game one into game two and came out swinging with kills by Ekes, Padilla and Bumpers to open the set. Numerous Bears went on multi-point service runs to put Mercer in a comfortable lead ultimately defeating the Golden Eagles by 10 points.
SET 2 I 25-27	Set two was the most intense set of the entire match with multiple lead changes and rallies exchanged by both sides. The Golden Eagles' defense came together to record 18 digs to pull out the win in extra points.
SET 3 I 25-18	The two squads continued to battle with each other throughout the entire set. Mercer took the lead early on and was able to hold on to it even after the Golden Eagles managed to come within five points.
SET 4 I 25-22	Mercer registered a total of 15 kills during the fourth set out-hitting the Golden Eagles by five kills. Freshmen Lou Johnson and Sophia Henry stepped up in big moments for the Bears helping to extend the lead and adding firepower to the offense to secure the win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
KILLS	Skye Ekes (14), Gia Padilla (14), Lou Johnson (12)
ASSISTS	Brooke Phillips (45), MeMe Davis (4), Abbey Havrilla (3)
DIGS	MeMe Davis (19), Brooke Phillips (17), Gia Padilla (10)
BLOCKS	Skye Ekes (3), Skyler Bumpers (3), Lou Johnson (3)
SERVICE ACES	Gia Padilla (4), Brooke Phillips (3), Abbey Havrilla (2)

UP NEXT
The Bears will return to Hawkins Arena tomorrow afternoon for a match against Presbyterian to close out the MU Invitational. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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