Mercer Picks Up First Win With Sweep Over UNCW

Saturday, September 6

Statesboro, Ga.

3 p.m.

Mercer University

1-5,0-0SoCon

UNC Wilmington

0-5,0-0CAA

UNCW

Mercer

Mercer Picks Up First Win With Sweep Over UNCW

9/6/2025 5:24:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

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

STATESBORO, GA. - Mercer volleyball head coach Steve Benson picked up his first win at Mercer and the team's first of the 2025 season after a dominating three-set victory over UNC Wilmington.

Mercer's middle blockers in Avery Wilks and Joselynn Sanjurjo had themselves a day, combining for 14 kills and six blocks against the Seahawks. Sophomore libero Aubri Martin was a rock in the back row, matching her career-high 24 digs while tallying three aces and three assists. Senior setter Jessica Dunn posted 21 assists and 10 digs, for Mercer's second double-double of the season and sophomore outside hitter Sophia Henry recorded 11 kills.

The Bears are back in action Sunday, Sept. 7 to round out the Eagle Classic against the host team, Georgia Southern. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Hanner Fieldhouse and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.

MATCH SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	Mercer 3, UNC Wilmington 0 (29-27, 25-18, 28-26)
RECORDS	Mercer 1-5, 0-0 SoCon; UNC Wilmington 0-5, 0-0 CAA
ARENA	Statesboro, Ga. (Hanner Fieldhouse)

MATCH REPLAY
SET 1 I 29-27	Both squads came out hot right from the start, not letting the other come within two points throughout the entire set until the Bears took a 21-19 lead after a kill from Joselynn Sanjurjo. Mercer finally took a 28-27 lead after an error from the Seahawks to set up Mercer for a Jessica Dunn dump to end set one.
SET 2 I 25-18	Mercer kept up the energy after set one, taking a 7-2 lead in set two after three-point service runs from both Abbey Havrilla and Aubri Martin. The Bears never let the Seahawks back in within three points for the remainder of the rest, forcing a must-win set three for UNC Wilmington.
SET 3 I 28-26	The Bears out-hit the Seahawks 17 to 11 in set three with Avery Wilks and Sophia Henry putting up five a piece. Mercer fought back from a 12-17 deficit to take the lead at the 27-26 mark and Sophia Henry secured the match-win with back-to-back kills.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
KILLS	Sophia Henry (11), Avery Wilks (8), Joselynn Sanjurjo (6)
ASSISTS	Jessica Dunn (21), Sammi Bergjans (8), Aubri Martin (3)
DIGS	Aubri Martin (24), Jessica Dunn (10), Sophia Henry, Sammi Bergjans (7)
BLOCKS	Joselynn Sanjurjo (4), Charlotte Thompson, Sydney VanCott, Avery Wilks (2)
SERVICE ACES	Aubri Martin (3), Sammi Bergjans (1), Abbey Havrilla (1)

UP NEXT
The Bears are back in action Sunday, Sept. 7 to round out the Eagle Classic against the host team, Georgia Southern. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Hanner Fieldhouse and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.

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