September 18, 2010

Volleyball Splits on Day Two of South Carolina State Spikefest

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Mercer junior outside hitter Amiee Frutchey had a combined 31 kills and 22 digs in two matches as the Bears split a pair of non-conference volleyball matches in the second day of the South Carolina State Spikefest.  Mercer downed Hampton 3-1 ( 25-16, 25-18, 20-25, 25-15) Saturday morning before being upended by South Carolina State 3-2 (23-25, 25-13, 22-25, 25-19, 15-23).

After Saturday’s split the Bears are 5-11 (0-0 A-Sun).  After falling to Mercer, Hampton topped North Carolina Central in its second match of the day and is 1-14 (0-0 MEAC).  South Carolina State fell earlier in the day to The Citadel and is now 4-11 (0-0 MEAC).

Against the South Carolina State, Frutchey collected a match-high 23 kills and added 14 digs in her third double-double performance of the season.  Sophomore Jamie Duffy notched her first career double-double against the Bulldogs, tallying 12 kills and 15 digs in the loss.

After splitting the first two sets against the Bulldogs, Mercer broke away from a 17-17 tie in the third set with three straight points.  The Bears held the advantage and ultimately took a 2-1 set lead.

In the fourth set, the host Bulldogs scored the first point of the set and did not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the frame.

In the fifth set, each team traded blows until the scoreboard reflected a 13-13 tie.  South Carolina State earned a match-point opportunity after the referee whistled the play dead due to a ball handling error by the Mercer setter.  Moments later, the host Bulldogs scored, finishing the contest.

Mercer’s duo of setters, freshmen Bridget Sheerin and Carly Iannarino each passed out 22 assists against South Carolina State.

In the first match of the day, Mercer’s defense smothered the Hampton attack, limiting the Lady Pirates to a .081 hitting percentage.  The Bears out-blocked the Lady Pirates 8-5 and Mercer junior Charlotte Harris recorded a match-high 19 digs.

Duffy had a career-high 14 kills with just two errors in the win.  The Manhattan Beach, Calif. native also collected three digs and four total blocks against Hampton.

Six of Duffy’s kills came in the fourth set as the Bears exerted their will over the Lady Pirates.  As a team, the Bears had 16 kills on 26 attempts in the fourth set.

Mercer senior middle blocker Libby Hansch was named to the SC State Spikefest All-Tournament team following the conclusion of the event.  Hansch had 17 kills and 11 blocks to help the Bears finish 2-1 at the tournament.