University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
Mercer
Georgia Volleyball Falls In Five Sets To Mercer
September 10, 2011 | Volleyball
Sept. 10, 2011
ATLANTA - The University of Georgia volleyball team concluded its play in the Georgia Tech Regency Suites Invitational on Saturday evening falling to Mercer, 3-2, at O'Keefe Gymnasium.
After Georgia (4-6) won the opening set, 25-15, Mercer (2-8) evened the match by taking the second set, 25-18. The Bulldogs answered by taking the third set, 25-22, but the Bears bounced back to force a fifth set by taking the fourth frame, 25-21. In the decisive set, Mercer edged Georgia, 15-11. It was the first five-set match of the season for the Bulldogs.
"This morning against Samford we took steps forward with our fight, our execution and our discipline," Georgia head coach Lizzy Stemke said. "Unfortunately, we took a step back after playing Mercer. The number of matches played in a short amount of time got the better of us. Physically, we couldn't sustain and that's from being unable to take care of ourselves off the court and for long matches. For the upcoming match against Tennessee we need to prepare ourselves for a long fight."
The match was closely contest throughout with the Bulldogs leading in kills, 67-62, hitting percentage, .241-.232, and digs, 67-59, but the Bears held a slight edge in blocking at 12.0-9.0. Both teams finished with three aces.
Georgia was paced in the match by senior setter Kathleen Gates' 51 assists and sophomore Brittany Northcutt's career-best 21 kills. Freshman Tirah Le'au added 14 kills while junior Briana Bahr contributed another 11 kills. Le'au was named to the All-Tournament team.
Defensively, four Bulldogs finished with double digit digs led by Gates' 15 for her second double-double of the year. Northcutt also notched a double-double with 10 digs, and both senior Carla Tietz and sophomore Allison Summers came away with 11 digs.
Mercer's attack was led by four players would tallied 10 or more kills each. Amiee Frutchey led the Bears with 15 kills while Jennifer Katona had 13 and both Anna Coursey and Jamie Duffy notched 10 apiece. Katona nearly recorded a double-double by providing Mercer with nine blocks.
Saturday evening's match wrapped up play for the Bulldogs in the Regency Suites Invitational at 1-2. Georgia fell to Georgia Tech, 3-0, on Friday but handed Samford its first loss of the season, 3-1, on Saturday morning.
The end of the Invitational also wrapped up non-conference play for UGA. The Bulldogs move into conference play beginning on Sept. 16 at Tennessee and Sept. 18 at Kentucky.
Georgia Tech Regency Suites Invitational All-Tournament Team:
Jennifer Katona, Mercer
Tirah Le'au, Georgia
Jennifer Percy, Georgia Tech
Monique Mead, Georgia Tech
Lauren Hutchinson, Samford
Katie Murphy, Samford
Most Valuable Libero: Alexis Bauer, Samford
Most Valuable Player: Elizabeth Neisler, Samford
Georgia Tech Regency Suites Invitational Results & Remaining Schedule:
Friday, Sept. 9:
Samford def. Mercer, 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-18)
Georgia Tech def. Georgia, 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-22)
Saturday, Sept. 10:
Georgia def. Samford, 3-1 (28-26, 15-25, 30-28, 25-16)
Georgia Tech def. Mercer, 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 28-26)
Mercer def. Georgia, 3-2 (15-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 15-11)
7:00 p.m. - Georgia Tech vs. Samford
