Volleyball Moves Forward Despite Tough Results

J. Andrew Lockwood
BearZone Columnist
October 2, 2010


After winning four of five in mid-September, the Bears seem to stumbling into October’s conference play. After recording a non-conference win against in-state rival Savannah State, Mercer faced two of the A-Sun’s toughest squads in their Nashville road trip to Lipscomb and Belmont. With a team full of experienced veterans and up-and-coming underclassmen, the Bears seem to be building valuable experience as they hit a long stretch of conference games.


Mercer 3 – Savannah State 0

After a season full of tough contests, it was nice for the Bears to take out some frustration on the Tigers from across the state. Winning in dominant fashion (25-12, 25-12, 25-17), the Mercer offense looked spectacular to the tune of a .359 hitting percentage in comparison to Savannah State’s -.085. Senior Krista Hurley would lead her team on the short night, dropping 6 kills, a pair of service aces, and a dig joined by Erica Vrvilo (5 kills), Charlayna Braxton (5 kills), and Anna Coursey (5 kills, solo block, block assist).

Mercer’s net play was a brick wall for Savannah State as they would finish with more attack errors (19) than kills (13) on the night.

“It was great to be back on our home floor,” Coach Rooke said after the game. “Tonight was a true team victory because everyone contributed.”

UNC-Asheville 3 – Mercer 0

The Bulldogs looked like the cream-of-the-crop in the Big South as possible NCAA contenders as they stopped Mercer in their tracks (25-21, 25-17, 25-16) in a quick Tuesday night match. Two Bulldogs, Cindi Miller and Kelsey Benorden would account for 12 kills and 10 kills respectively while Mercer’s Jamie Duffy had a career night with 10 kills, 5 digs and a block assist. Mercer offense struggled against UNC-Asheville’s tall lineup at the net, hitting only .059 for the night.

“Tonight we didn’t bring our ‘A’-game and it’s frustrating,” the coach vented on MercerBears.com. “Right now I feel like we’re competing more in practice. Hat’s off to UNC-Asheville because they played great tonight and got the best of us.”

Lipscomb 3 – Mercer 0

The former A-Sun champs faced a resilient Mercer squad but ultimately bested the Bears in three sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-22). Lipscomb extends their unbeaten streak during the regular season within the A-Sun to 26 matches. Amiee Frutchey’s 8 kills highlighted Mercer’s offensive efforts, but the Bisons’ Alex Kelly recorded 12 kills of her own to lead her team in a defensive matchup. On the defensive side, Charlotte Harris would record 20 digs while Anna Coursey (1 solo block, 1 block assists) and Erica Vrvilo (1 solo block, 2 block assists) would led the Bears at the net.

“Overall I’m pleased with how our team performed,” said Rooke. “Our blocking was good and Charlotte Harris was great on defense. The setters improved their play as the match went on as well,” she added.

Belmont 3 – Mercer 0

The Bruins closed out the Bears’ trip to Nashville in three straight sets (25-9, 25-21, 25-17) to give Mercer their second conference loss of the 2010 season. After a disastrous first set, Mercer looked like a new team in the 2nd set, opening with a 9-1 run. But Belmont, to their credit, responded to every Mercer attack, coming from behind to escape with a four point win.

Belmont’s Maggie Johnson (16 kills, 14 digs) and Kayla Albritton (13 kills, 5 digs) stole the spotlight for the Bruins while Krista Hurley led Mercer with 7 kills.

2010 Volleyball Season Preview

J. Andrew Lockwood
BearZone Columnist


Leadership? Check. Strong senior class? Check. High expectations? Check that box as well. 2010 could be a banner season for the Mercer volleyball team as they hope to cap the careers of three seniors who have helped turn around a once dismal team.

Libby Hansch, Krista Hurley, and Erica Vrvilo have been mainstays in the Mercer lineup for the past three years and now in their final season, will try to lead the Bears to unchartered waters, an Atlantic Sun Championship. Last season’s 11-18 record was a disappointment after the 18-11 campaign in 2008, but the trio of seniors have momentum, young talent, and a passionate coach on their side.

The momentum came late last season as it was all but certain that the Bears would miss the Atlantic Sun tournament after such a dominant year the season before. With a 6-17 record, the team played up to their potential during the final six matches of the season, winning five to come just within reach of making the postseason.

“The goals for this year are to build off of last season’s success. We had a really strong run at the end of the last season and I think we’re hungrier,” said seventh year head coach Noelle Rooke.

Joining the trio of seniors will be six other returning players including outside hitters Aimee Frutchey, Rachel Urbelis, rightside Anna Coursey and libero Charlotte Harris. The depth of the team dramatically increased during the offseason with six fresh faces joining the Bears this season. Among them, Carly Iannarino and Bridget Sheerin will vie for the setter position, the only hole left unfilled from last season’s lineup. Outside hitters Cassie Roy and Emily Rochefort should also see considerable playing time at the outside hitter position as will Lizzie Knapper at the rightside. Zoe Becton will also add depth at the middle blocker spot. Junior Charlayna Braxton should see more time in the middle blocker rotation and after sophomore Jamie Duffy’s breakout 2009 season, we’ll surely see her more on the floor this season.

“We have six new freshman and I think they really help out with our team’s depth,” commented Libby Hansch on her team’s roster.

The schedule is once again challenging, but not too imposing. Facing 9 teams out of the top 125 in last year’s RPI rankings, the Bears will have their work cut out for them early in the season with non-conference tilts that include opponents like Washington, Auburn, Georgia State, North Carolina State, and UNC-Asheville. Rooke’s squad will make appearances at three tournaments in the first two months of the season, taking trips to the The Invitational at Seattle, North Carolina State Tournament, and South Carolina State Tournament. Mercer will also host Presbyterian, Tennessee-Martin, and the Citadel in this year’s edition of the Bear Brawl.
“We’re going to have to work hard from the beginning and I’ll have to be smart with my decision making so that come October we’re rested and really playing well. Once conference rolls around, that’s what we’re aiming for and what it’s all about,” said Rooke.

Key conference matches in the University Center will feature Atlantic Sun opponents Jacksonville (Oct. 9th), ETSU (Nov. 6th), and Kennesaw State (Nov. 13th).