Bears Defeat The Paladins Saturday Night

Saturday, November 1

Macon, Ga.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

8-17,4-8SoCon

Furman

17-7,8-4SoCon

Furman

Mercer

11/1/2025 8:37:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

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

MACON, Ga. - The Mercer volleyball team pulled together a huge team win on Saturday night inside Hawkins Arena to take down the Furman University Paladins 3-1.

Sophomore outside hitter Sophia Henry recorded a match-high 15 kills along with 11 digs for her second double-double of the season. Sophomore outside hitter Charlotte Thompson also posted double-digit kills with 10 and graduate right side Destiny Nelson hit .375 at the net with eight kills. Sophomore setter Sammi Bergjans and senior setter Jessica Dunn combined for 37 assists on the night. On the defensive side, Aubri Martin tallied a double-double with 23 digs and 11 assists while junior middle blocker Avery Wilks registered four blocks. Lastly, senior defensive specialist Abbey Havrilla added 11 digs and three service aces.

The Orange & Black will host their final two home games of the 2025 season on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 against UNC Greensboro (Senior Night) and Wofford inside Hawkins Arena. First serve for both matches is set for 6 p.m. and only the match on Nov. 8 against Wofford will be streamed on ESPN+.

MATCH SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	Mercer 3, Furman 1 (26-24, 15-25, 26-24, 25-23)
RECORDS	Mercer 8-17, 3-8 SoCon; Furman 17-7, 8-4 SoCon
ARENA	Macon, Ga. (Hawkins Arena)

MATCH REPLAY
SET 1 I 26-24	The Bears snagged the lead early in set one after a few errors from the Paladins put Mercer on top 8-2. Mercer maintained the momentum, holding the lead until Furman came back to tie it at the 20-20 mark. Crucial back-to-back kills from Lara Matta and Sophia Henry shut the door on set one.
SET 2 I 15-25	Furman came out in set two seeking revenge and dominated, sucking the energy away from Mercer after quickly extending their lead 20-10. The Bears were not able to catch back up to the Paladins and the score was even heading into the third set.
SET 3 I 25-24	The third set was all about who wanted it more and which side capitalized off of the other's mistakes better. Set three saw 18 tie scores and nine lead changes. Mercer got hot at the right time and once again finished it off with a kill from Lara Matta.
SET 4 \| 25-23	Set four was another back and forth battle between the two squads but the Bears carried the momentum until the end and scratched away one point at a time. A four-point service run from Jessica Dunn gave Mercer the momentum they needed to see the set through to the end after Sammi Bergjans secured the big-time win with a statement block.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
KILLS	Sophia Henry (15), Charlotte Thompson (10), Destiny Nelson (8)
ASSISTS	Sammi Bergjans (20, Jessica Dunn (17), Aubri Martin (11)
DIGS	Aubri Martin (23), Abbey Havrilla, Sophia Henry (11)
BLOCKS	Avery Wilks, Lara Matta (4), Joselynn Sanjurjo (2)
SERVICE ACES	Abbey Havrilla (3), Sammi Bergjans (2), Avery Wilks (1)

UP NEXT
The Orange & Black will host their final two home games of the 2025 season on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 against UNC Greensboro (Senior Night) and Wofford inside Hawkins Arena. First serve for both matches is set for 6 p.m. and only the match on Nov. 8 against Wofford will be streamed on ESPN+.

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SUPPORT THE BEARS
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