Troy University Athletics
Trojan Volleyball Snaps Two Match Losing Skid, Defeats the Bears of Mercer 3-1
10/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. - Troy University defeated Atlantic Sun foe Mercer Saturday night three games to one to break a two-match losing skid. The Trojans played with a sense of urgency as they defeated Mercer 30-27, 16-30, 30-26 and 30-17.
Coach Patrick Nicholas was impressed with his team's play.
I'm happy for the the team right now,” said Nicholas. We had a great game defensively with our blocking and our digs. Erin Burnette gave us a spark off the bench and Kendra Sytsma just had an inspired match.”
Junior Holly Martin led the Trojans offensively with six kills in game one. Sytsma, a sophomore from Madison, Wis., was close behind the five kills of her own. Martin also led the Trojans in digs with eight. The Trojans and Bears battled back and forth throughout the game with the Trojans earning the victory 30-27.
Game two saw the Trojans offense commit almost as many errors (11) as it had kills (13). Mercer took advantage of the poor offensive effort and take the game 30-16. Freshman Claire Murphy led the Trojans with five kills in the game.
Troy came out of the break with a new offensive fire. Sytsma and Martin notched six kills each and Sytsma led all players with her ten digs. In the end the Trojans pulled away to take the game 30-26 and lead the match two games to one.
The Trojans defense was on display in game four as Troy had five blocks and 18 digs forcing Mercer to hit for a -.022 percentage. Murphy again led the Trojans on offense with her five kills in the game. Troy took the game 30-17 and the match three games to one.
For the match Sytsma and Murphy had 18 kills each. Murphy's 18 kills is a career high and Sytsma's 18 kills was a season high. Sytsma did set a career high in digs with 22. Martin finished the night with 16 kills which tied her season high. Freshman Eliza Zwettler had 57 assists which is her second-highest output of her career.
The Trojans improved their record to 8-17 with a 3-6 record in the A-Sun. Mercer falls to 12-14 with a 4-5 record in conference play. Troy will go on to host future Sun Belt Conference rival South Alabama on Nov. 6 as a part of Troy's homecoming weekend. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
-TROJANS-
