October 9, 2010

Volleyball Comes From Behind to Defeat Jacksonville, 3-1

MACON, Ga. – Mercer senior middle blocker Libby Hansch hammered down 12 kills with just three errors as the Bears staged a come-from-behind victory over Jacksonville in Saturday afternoon’s volleyball match at the University Center.  Mercer took a 3-1 (19-25, 26-24, 25-15, 25-23) victory, marking its second-straight conference triumph.

Mercer moved to 8-14 (2-2 A-Sun) with its first win over Jacksonville since November 8, 2008. Jacksonville suffered its second-straight loss and fell to 10-10 (2-2 A-Sun).

“The energy of our team was right where it needed to be this weekend,” head coach Noelle Rooke said.  “Today capped a clutch 2-0 weekend and now we’re in the thick of the conference standings.”

Hansch was one of three Bears to record 10 or more kills with just three errors against the Dolphins.  Senior Krista Hurley and junior Amiee Frutchey both contributed 11 kills with three miscues.

Hurley’s 11 kills came on 19 swings as the La Verne, Calif. native posted a team-high .421 hitting percentage.  Frutchey’s 11 kills came in conjunction with 12 digs as she notched her fifth double-double of the year.

Hansch also contributed to Mercer’s defensive effort, racking up a match-high five total blocks in the winning effort.

In the first set, Jacksonville raced out to a 7-1 lead in the opening moments.  Mercer chipped away at the deficit but could not get within three points of the visitors for the rest of the set.

In the second frame, the teams were even through the first 14 points before Jacksonville created separation with a 6-2 spurt.  Later in the set, Mercer trailed 21-16 before a Jacksonville service error sparked a 5-0 run for the Bears.  Mercer would go on to claim a 26-24 victory to even the set score at one apiece.

The third set saw Mercer limit Jacksonville to a .077 hitting percentage en route to a 25-15 win.  Mercer led from wire-to-wire in the third stanza.

In the fourth set, Mercer stormed out to a 6-1 advantage before Jacksonville rallied to tie the score at 18-18.  Later in the set, with the scoreboard was knotted at 23, Mercer scored consecutive points to capture the victory.

Mercer freshmen Bridget Sheerin and Carly Iannarino combined to hand out 40 assists in the win.  Junior libero Charlotte Harris tallied 16 digs.

Mercer returns to action at Stetson on Friday, October 15.  Match time is scheduled for 6 p.m.