Volleyball Hosts Pivotal A-Sun Weekend

MACON, Ga. – With the race for positioning in the conference tournament heating up, the Mercer volleyball team sets its sights on a pivotal weekend set against USC Upstate and ETSU at the University Center.  The Bears host USC Upstate on Friday night at 7 p.m. and challenge ETSU on Saturday at 3 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT

MACON, Ga. – Mercer senior middle blocker Libby Hansch crushed a match-high 13 kills as the Bears captured a victory over UNC Wilmington in non-conference action at the University Center on Oct. 31.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

USC Upstate is 10-15 (1-6 A-Sun) after most recently downing Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 30.  The Spartans have won three of their last four matches and aim to capture their first win against Mercer since Nov. 2, 2007.

The Spartans feature seven starters from last year’s team that finished 8-22 (4-16 A-Sun).

Sophomore Emily Sanders boasts the third highest assist total in the league (971), while freshman Cori Harris ranks 10^th among A-Sun players in kills per set (2.77).

ETSU comes to Macon after a matchup at Kennesaw State on Friday night.  The Lady Bucs are riding an eight match winning streak and eyeing a first-round bye in the conference tournament.  If ETSU defeats both Kennesaw State and Mercer, the team is guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.

The Lady Bucs are 23-6 (6-1 A-Sun) after most recently Florida Gulf Coast on Oct. 30.  ETSU ranks among the top-three teams in the league in opponent hitting percentage (1^st - .138), assists per set (3^rd – 11.62), kills (3^rd – 12.61), and blocks (1^st – 2.62).