Beach Bears Drop Matches At UNF Duuuval Duals

Friday, March 6

Jacksonville, Fla.

8 a.m.

Mercer University

Eastern Kentucky

Beach Bears Drop Matches At UNF Duuuval Duals

3/7/2026 4:19:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

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

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Mercer beach volleyball team dropped tough matches during their time at the UNF Duuuval Duals this weekend in Jacksonville at The Coop.

The Bears opened up play on Friday against Eastern Kentucky, resulting in a 4-1 loss for Mercer. The no. 2-4 pairs all went into three sets but Eastern Kentucky was able to come away with wins in all three. Mercer's fifth pair of Maggie Forsyth and Cyleigh Sayler toughed out a win in two sets, 21-19 and 24-22.

The Orange & Black faced Jacksonville on Saturday to begin day two of play with Kristi Talocka and Grace Rathburn picking up a win in the no. 1 slot for the Bears in a thrilling three-set match. Jacksonville took the remaining courts in two sets over Mercer, defeating the Bears 4-1.

Mercer closed out their stay in Jacksonville with a hard-fought matchup against Florida International with the no.1 and no. 3 pairs going into a close three sets, including a 16-14 third set in the no. 1 slot. Florida International was able to take the go-ahead points and come away with the 5-0 victory over Mercer.

Mercer will return to Macon to play their first games of the season at Bear Beach as they host the Bears Beach Bash on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14.