JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - East Tennessee State University's volleyball team earned its first Southern Conference win of the season as they defeated Mercer 3-0 Saturday at Brooks Gymnasium.
East Tennessee State (3-12, 1-3 SoCon) and Mercer went back-and-forth to open the first frame as a Bears error tied the set at 13. The Buccaneers began to pull away from their opponent with a 7-1 run, allowing them to lead 18-14. The Bears fought back, as a kill by Taylor Timko got them as close as 19-18. The Bucs ended the first set on a 5-1 run, as a kill by
Gianna Blair ended the first frame, giving the Bucs the 25-19 win.
The two teams battled back and forth, but the Bears took a 15-12 lead in the second frame. The Bucs chipped away at their deficit, as a kill by
Karis Chatfield and
Emma MacFerran, followed by a Bears' error, allowed the Bucs to tie the set at 22, with a kill from
Sophie Davis giving them a 23-22 lead. The Bears managed to fight off two Bucs set points, but ultimately the 27-25 second-set win went to the Bucs after another kill by Davis and a block by
Elizabeth Aylwards and Blair.
The Buccaneers dominated the third frame, taking an 18-8 lead on the Bears. A kill by Joselynn Sanjurjo would get the Bears as close as 24-16, but a Bears service error allowed the Bucs to take the 25-16 third-set win for their first SoCon win of the season.
MATCH POINTS
