MACON, Ga. – Molly Locke turned in an all-around performance that included 17 kills and 12 digs to lead Mercer past The Citadel in four sets by scores of 25-19, 25-7, 17-25 and 25-21 in Southern Conference volleyball action at Hawkins Arena.
Locke was joined in double-digit kills by Caroline Carlton (12), as the duo combined for 29 of Mercer's 50 total kills. On defense the Bears (9-16, 4-7 SoCon) were anchored by the performances by Ellie James (14 digs) and Tori Penrod (14 digs). Mercer was also active on the front row with 12 assisted blocks, including three each by Emily Krogman and Cara Tripp.
The Citadel's (7-21, 0-12 SoCon) offense was highlighted by the trio of
Ise d'Angelo (12 kills),
Bailey Kernodle (11) and
Megan Sowell (10). D'Angelo posted a .257 hitting percentage after committing three errors in 35 total attacks. Setter
Rachel Keefer handed out 17 assists to go along with 12 digs, completing her fourth double-double of the season. However, that was three shy of teammate
Samantha Espy's match-high 15 digs.
The Dogs edged Mercer by two assisted blocks with the help of Sowell (six),
Dominique Williams (four) and
Lauren Hurt (three). Hurt also tallied three solo blocks to move within 11 of Audra Ritchie's all-time school record (109).
Mercer used an 11-4 run to break a nine-all tie in the first set, capitalizing on four kills from Carlton, to move in front 20-13. The Bears surrendered three kills to d'Angelo among the next eight points, however completed the six-point victory with Carlton's fifth kill of the first frame.
Locke was the dominating presence in the second set as she tallied five kills on six attempts to help lead Mercer to a .368 hitting percentage. The Bears jumped out in front 13-0 with Penrod in serve and ultimately clinched the 18-point win.
The Bulldogs and Bears split the first 20 points of the third set before a kill by Kernodle provided The Citadel with a slim one-point advantage. With Kernodle in serve the Cadets extended their lead to three as the teams battled to an eventual 19-16 score. The Dogs combined five service points by Keefer and two kills from Kernodle to complete their first set victory of the 2014 SoCon slate.
The Citadel carried that momentum into the fourth, forcing eight ties in the first 40 points of the set. With the game knotted at 20, Mercer gained a slight two-point edge with back-to-back kills by Carlton and Tripp. A late kill by Kernodle was not enough to offset Mercer's 5-1 run down the stretch as the Bears picked up their second win at home this season.
The Citadel wraps up its three-match road stretch on Saturday at Wofford at 3 p.m.
