MACON, Ga. - Taylor Robertson posted a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs as the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team came from behind to claim a Saturday evening Southern Conference (SoCon) thriller over Mercer, 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 16-25, 26-24, 15-12).
 
How it Happened
 
Mercer held a 6-3 lead to open the first set and then extended their advantage to four points, 11-7. The Spartans mounted a 5-2 rally in response to cut the deficit down to one.  After Mercer extended their lead, 16-13, UNCG scored eight of the next ten points with Robertson posting three kills during the rally. Out of a Mercer timeout, the Bears claimed the next point, but the Spartans took four of the next six points on their way to achieving the set victory.
 
The Spartans jumped to a 4-2 lead to start the second set and then bounced back from a 4-2 Mercer rally to reclaim the lead, 9-7. UNCG stopped a 3-1 Mercer rally to break an 11-11 tie, but the Bears produced a five-point rally to claim a four-point lead, 16-12. Three-straight Jocelyn Carter kills sparked UNCG's four-point response to end the Mercer rally as the Spartans evened the score. UNCG halted a 4-1 rally from the Bears with a pair of points capped by a Daija Jackson and Karolina Zubkova block to cut Mercer's lead to one point, 20-19. The Bears charged with a 5-1 rally in response to even the match.
 
Mercer opened the third set with an eight-point rally and later extended their lead to nine, 10-1. UNCG fought back with a five-point rally fueled by three Robertson kills. The Bears scored three of the next four points before a service error stopped their rally. Mercer resumed with a 5-1 rally to reclaim their largest lead of the set, 19-8. The Spartans scored three of the next four points to slow Mercer's momentum. After the Bears posted a pair of points, UNCG countered with four of the next seven points up to set point, but Mercer scored the final point to earn the set win.
 
Mercer started the fourth set with a 4-1 rally the Spartans countered with a 6-3 rally of their own to even the set, 7-7. The Bears posted a 5-1 rally in response to claim a four-point lead. Mercer held the lead until a Sierra Herndon service ace tied the set, 16-16. After each side traded three-point rallies, Mercer responded with a 3-1 rally before the Spartans posted six of the set's final eight points to even the match.
 
The Bears opened the final set with a 5-1 rally, including the set's first four points. UNCG roared back with a six-point rally to claim a two-point lead, 7-5. UNCG posted a three-point rally, powered by two Robertson kills, to claim a four-point lead, 11-7, late in the set. Mercer mounted a comeback bid, scoring four of the next six points. Mya Wood forced match point with a kill that gave the Spartans a 14-11 lead. Mercer responded before Gabriela McHugh posted the match's final kill to give UNCG the match victory.
 
From Head Coach Corey Carlin
"I'm very proud of this team for the fight they showed tonight. Mercer is a well-coached team and they definitely made us earn the win. We had players making key plays at key times, especially at the end of the fourth set, and that made the difference in us coming out on top. This is a great team win."
 
By the Numbers

• Robertson hit .156 for the match and added two service aces.
• Jackson finished with 10 digs, hitting .500 on 16 attempts.
• Carter tallied nine kills and two blocks, hitting .421.
• McHugh posted 33 assists and 11 digs, tying Robertson for the team lead.
• Wood added five kills and a match-leading four service aces.
• The Spartans posted a .226 hitting percentage for the match.

Records
UNCG: 9-14, 3-7 SoCon
Mercer: 7-15, 3-7 SoCon
 
Up Next
The Spartans return home Friday night, hosting The Citadel at 7 p.m. inside Fleming Gymnasium to start a two-match homestand over the weekend.