September 1, 2010

Volleyball Comes Up Short at Auburn

Box score

 

AUBURN, Ala. – Junior hitters Rachel Urbelis and Amiee Frutchey each had seven kills, but Auburn claimed a 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-14) win in Wednesday evening’s non-conference volleyball match at the Student Activities Center.

Mercer fell to 0-5 (0-0 A-Sun) while Auburn remained unbeaten at 4-0 (0-0 SEC).

“We just played great competition tonight,” said Mercer head coach Noelle Rooke. “We started off neck and neck and just a few things here and there made the difference in the first two sets. I’m not discouraged, because matches like this prepare us for the rest of the season.”

The match marked the season debut for Mercer senior middle blocker Libby Hansch, who has been held out of action due to injury.  Hansch made an immediate impact on the defensive front, racking up three blocks.  Hansch also tallied four kills in the match.

Mercer out-blocked the Tigers 9-8 in the loss.  The match marked the second contest in which Mercer has out-blocked an opponent this season.

The first set was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 11 ties and six lead changes, but Auburn got the last laugh as it pulled away from a 24-24 tie when the Bears committed consecutive attacking errors.

In the second set, the teams split the first 18 points before the Tigers ripped off a 6-1 run to take a 15-10 lead.  Mercer battled back, eventually closing to within a single point at 21-20 before ultimately falling, 25-22.

In the third set, Auburn rode junior Kelly Fidero’s set-high five kills to a 25-14 win.

Mercer returns to action with its home opener on Friday against Presbyterian at 1 p.m.  The matchup with the Blue Hose marks the opening contest of the 2010 Bear Brawl.  Mercer is also scheduled to play Tennessee Martin at 7 p.m.