Matta, Zeidan Voted Mercer Scholar-Athletes Of The Week
9/2/2026 12:04:00 PM | Football, Volleyball, Athletics Department
MACON – Lara Matta turned in a career-best performance and Simon Zeidan broke a program record to be named the Mercer Scholar-Athletes of the Week for the week ending on August 30.
Matta, a sophomore outside hitter from Tampa, Florida, recorded 44 kills, 32 digs, three blocks and a service ace over three matches at the Troy Invitational. Matta posted a career-high 25 kills in Mercer's 3-2 win over Alabama State this past Saturday and added 14 digs to claim her first double-double at the collegiate level. Through the first weekend of the season, Matta ranks second in the Southern Conference in total kills, third in kills/set and tied for ninth in digs.
Zeidan, a sophomore kicker from Kennesaw, Georgia, scored the first points of the Mercer football season when he booted a program-record 55-yard field goal through the uprights on his first attempt as a Bear. Zeidan finished his Mercer debut 5-for-6 on kick attempts (3-for-4 FG, 2-for-2 PAT) with 11 total points on the night. Zeidan also handled kickoff duties and sent five of his six kickoffs through the end zone for touchbacks.
Matta and the volleyball team travel to Grand Forks, North Dakota, for two matches against North Dakota this weekend. First serve against the Fighting Hawks on Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 5, is at 7:00 p.m. EST.Â
Zeidan and the football team defend Five Star Stadium this weekend against Presbyterian on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST. Tickets are available here.
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Matta, a sophomore outside hitter from Tampa, Florida, recorded 44 kills, 32 digs, three blocks and a service ace over three matches at the Troy Invitational. Matta posted a career-high 25 kills in Mercer's 3-2 win over Alabama State this past Saturday and added 14 digs to claim her first double-double at the collegiate level. Through the first weekend of the season, Matta ranks second in the Southern Conference in total kills, third in kills/set and tied for ninth in digs.
Zeidan, a sophomore kicker from Kennesaw, Georgia, scored the first points of the Mercer football season when he booted a program-record 55-yard field goal through the uprights on his first attempt as a Bear. Zeidan finished his Mercer debut 5-for-6 on kick attempts (3-for-4 FG, 2-for-2 PAT) with 11 total points on the night. Zeidan also handled kickoff duties and sent five of his six kickoffs through the end zone for touchbacks.
Matta and the volleyball team travel to Grand Forks, North Dakota, for two matches against North Dakota this weekend. First serve against the Fighting Hawks on Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 5, is at 7:00 p.m. EST.Â
Zeidan and the football team defend Five Star Stadium this weekend against Presbyterian on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST. Tickets are available here.
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Players Mentioned
OH/RS
/ Volleyball
K
/ FootballTuesday, September 01
Monday, August 31
Sunday, August 30
Sunday, August 30
