Mercer Volleyball Begins SoCon Play Against The Citadel

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Volleyball will begin the conference season at home this weekend, as they take on The Citadel Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m.

Mercer Bears

The Bears ended the nonconference season at 6-6 after going 1-2 at the Mercer Invitational last weekend. Mercer was picked to finish ninth in the SoCon in the preseason poll, but currently sit in fourth place heading into conference play. The Bears currently sit in fourth with 12.15 kill/set, first in the conference in both service aces (92) and service aces per set (1.96), and second in opponent hitting percentage (.195). Junior libero Aubri Martin has played a big part of the Bear's success thus far, as she ranks fifth in the conference with 177 digs and tied for third with 19 service aces. In the past four games, she has totaled 54 digs, 11 service aces, and 14 assists. Junior setter Sammi Bergjans has also put up strong performances up to this point, ranking third in the conference in assists (433), assists per set (9.21), and sixth in service aces (17). She totaled her 1,000th career assist last Saturday against Charleston Southern while totaling 114 assists, 28 digs, and four service aces on the weekend.

The Citadel Bulldogs

The Citadel wrapped up nonconference play at 3-9 while dropping each of their last three matches at the Trojan Invitational. The Bulldogs were picked to finish 10th in the SoCon preseason poll and currently sit in ninth at the end of nonconference play. The Citadel ranks ninth in the conference in total kills (469) and last in kills/set (10.91). They have been a solid serving team, ranking tied for fourth in the conference in service aces (72) and third in service aces per set (1.67). The Bulldogs have been led offensively by Rachel Reininger, who leads the team with 120 kills (2.93 kills/set) while adding 50 digs and eight blocks on the year. Defensively, Jess Martin leads the team with 127 digs (3.34/set) and second on the team with nine service aces.