MACON, Ga. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team took a straight set loss at Mercer on Saturday night (18-25, 9-25, 19-25).

HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer began the match with two service aces and a block assist to put the Bears up 3-0. Mercer held the advantage over UNCG for the entire first set. The Spartans held the Bears at set point for two rallies thanks to a kill from Aylin Baran and a service ace from Mallory Meers. However, a final kill from Mercer's Kylee Quigley gave the Bears set one, 25-18.
 
Mercer continued its momentum into the second set with a 10-2 run to never allow UNCG to lead in set two. A final kill from Gia Padilla secured set two for the Bears, 25-9.
 
A kill from Daija Jackson, coming off the hands of Meers, put the Spartans on the board in set three for the squad's first lead of the match (1-0). Although the set tied on several occasions, the Spartans held the Bears from taking the lead until late in the set. With UNCG up 16-15, Mercer posted a 3-0 run to take its first lead of set three (18-16). Mercer held the lead for the remainder of the final set. A block assist from Lillian Beardsley and Mykole Morgan gave Mercer the third and final set, 25-19.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Jackson led the Spartans offensively with eight kills on the day and added one block.
• Meers and Izora Gragg both led as the setters with 27 dimes collectively.
• Meers led the team with two service aces.
• Mya Wood led the team as the libero with 12 digs on the day. Avery Sziksai followed closely behind with 10 digs.

Records
UNCG: 1-12, 0-2, SoCon
Mercer: 5-8, 1-1, SoCon

Up Next
The Spartans will next head over to Johnson City, Tenn., to take on ETSU on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m., followed by a home matchup against Chattanooga on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium.