Beach Bears Post 1-3 Clip At Stetson Spring Fling

Friday, February 27

DeLand, Fla.

9 a.m.

Mercer University

College of Charleston

Beach Bears Post 1-3 Clip At Stetson Spring Fling

2/28/2026 7:02:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

DELAND, Fla. – Kristi Talocka picked up a trio of wins on Court No. 2, including two triumphs alongside fellow sophomore Grace Rathburn, to highlight action for the Mercer beach volleyball team on Friday and Saturday at the Stetson Spring Fling.

The Bears (2-6) toughed out a 3-2 win over the College of Charleston on Friday to open the round-robin tournament at Stetson's Cooper Beach Volleyball Com, but fell on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision to Jacksonville in Saturday's nightcap. The Orange & Black also dropped matchups with Eckerd and the host Hatters in DeLand.

The College of Charleston got a straight-sets win on Court No. 3 to take the early lead on Friday, but the Bears followed with a straight-sets win from Talocka/Rathburn, as well as another by Maggie Forsyth and Cyleigh Sayler on Court No. 5, to grab a 2-1 edge on the team scoreboard.

Fiona North and Grace Toscano battled back from a 22-20 loss in the opening set on Court No. 4 before eventually prevailing with a 15-6 third set. MU's No. 1 pair of Jordyn Thomas-Warren and Hollis Engel would provide the match clincher a few minutes later however when they finished off a three-set win over Cassie Thayse and Elizabeth Curry.

Mercer will make a return trip to the Sunshine State on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7, when it competes at the North Florida-hosted UNF Duuuval Duals in Jacksonville. The Bears are scheduled for matchups with Eastern Kentucky, North Florida, Jacksonville and Florida International at UNF's The Coop.