Mercer Downs North Dakota On Day Two Of Mercer Invitational

Friday, September 19

Macon, Ga.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

3-9,0-0SoCon

North Dakota

2-8,0-0Summit League

North Dakota

Mercer

Mercer Downs North Dakota On Day Two Of Mercer Invitational

9/19/2025 8:50:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

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

MACON, Ga. - The Mercer volleyball team picked up a dominating 3-1 win over North Dakota on Friday night inside Hawkins Arena. Mercer fed off of the energy that was brought to Hawkins Arena to come up with 53 kills, 63 digs, 50 assists, 13 blocks and six service aces in the victory.

Sophomore outside hitter Sophia Henry had an outstanding night with 16 kills (.317) and graduate right side Destiny Nelson added ten kills against the Fighting Hawk. Two different players recorded double-doubles for the Bears in senior setter Jessica Dunn with 13 assists and 11 digs and sophomore libero Aubri Martin who recorded 24 digs and 10 assists. Mercer's front line was a brick wall at the net with 13 total blocks, including Joselynn Sanjurjo, Avery Wilks and Olivia Elliott all putting up four blocks a piece.

The Bears will play their last non-conference game in the final day of the Mercer Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. inside Hawkins Arena against UT Martin. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and admission is free of charge.

MATCH SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	Mercer 3, North Dakota 1 (25-21, 24-26, 25-17, 25-23)
RECORDS	Mercer 3-9, 0-0 SoCon; North Dakota 2-10, 0-0 Summit League
ARENA	Macon, Ga. (Hawkins Arena)

MATCH REPLAY
SET 1 I 25-21	The Bears took an 11-4 lead over the Fighting Hawk after a kill from Olivia Elliott. The Fighting Hawk battled back to come within two points at the 22-19 mark but the Mercer was able to sideout after a kill from Destiny Nelson, setting them up for a set-one win.
SET 2 I 24-26	Both squads exchanged leads the entire match until North Dakota took a 22-16 lead over Mercer. The Bears battled back after a four-point service run from Aubri Martin evened the score 24-24 but North Dakota took advantage of a Mercer error and recorded an important kill to even the match score 1-1.
SET 3 I 25-17	Mercer came out for set three wanting redemption and they got just that taking a 13-6 lead after a three-point service run from Jessica Dunn and back-to-back kills from Sophia Henry. The Fighting Hawk was not able to keep up with Mercer's explosive offense, sending them to a must-win fourth set.
SET 4 \| 25-23	Set four was a back and forth battle between the two squads with both teams recording 11 digs and only a one-kill differential on the stat sheet. Mercer carried the momentum for most of the set until the Fighting Hawk came within one point at the 20-19 mark after three multi-point service runs. The Bears handled the pressure well and Destiny Nelson was able to put a cap on the match after a statement kill.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
KILLS	Sophia Henry (16), Destiny Nelson (10), Avery Wilks (8)
ASSISTS	Sammi Bergjans (22), Jessica Dunn (13), Aubri Martin (10)
DIGS	Aubri Martin (24), Jessica Dunn (11), Sammi Bergjans (9)
BLOCKS	Olivia Elliott, Joselynn Sanjurjo, Avery Wilks (4)
SERVICE ACES	Aubri Martin (4), Jessica Dunn, Sarah Frager (1)

UP NEXT
The Bears will play their last non-conference game in the final day of the Mercer Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. inside Hawkins Arena against UT Martin. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and admission is free of charge.

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