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11/10/2008 - VOLLEYBALL
Tucker's Stellar Defense Leads to Weekly Honor
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MACON, Ga. - Mercer is on the verge of its highest postseason seeding in school history, thanks in large part to the stellar back row play of senior libero Claire Tucker. Tucker's match-high 37 digs helped the Bears eke past Jacksonville in the A-Sun Match of the Week; a win that gave Mercer sole possession of the No. 3 positioning for next week’s A-Sun Championship. Tucker's efforts were rewarded with her first career Player of the Week honor, the conference office announced on Monday.
The senior libero led the Bears to a 2-0 weekend, including a three set win over UNF and a five set victory over Jacksonville. Tucker posted 68 digs in two matches, equating to a 7.88 dig per set average. The New Orleans, La., native notched a career high 37 digs on senior day, helping her team gain its first win over Jacksonville since the 2004 season. In Saturday's match of the week, which featured the two top liberos in the conference, Tucker was the difference maker, besting Shelley Walroth's (of Jacksonville) dig total by ten.
The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.
Other Top Performers
Cat Mundy, Belmont (Sr. – OH – Dallas, Texas – Business/Marketing) – In the victory over Austin Peay, Mundy set three season-highs of 26 kills, 17 digs and a .458 hitting percentage.
Alex Kelly, Lipscomb (So. – MB –Kansas City, Mo. – Marketing) – Had a career high 28 kills in 3-1 win over USC Upstate iand also tied her career high for hitting percentage with a .571 against ETSU in a 3-0 win Saturday.
A-Sun Weekly Notes
Upstate heads into its final weekend of regular season play on the cusp of reaching a historic milestone for the Hodge Center. In 33 seasons, the Spartans have posted a 297-97 (.754) in the building, leaving them just three wins from reaching 300 in the building. All three Spartan teams (men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball) that play in the Hodge have had similar success in the gym, as the teams have a combined record of 839-392 (.681). The 1,535-seat gym has seen three volleyball squads finish with a perfect home slate. The women’s basketball team has had two perfect campaigns in the Hodge and the men’s basketball team has posted four perfect regular-season slates.
The Lady Bisons 3-0 match win at ETSU was the 18th of the regular season, a new program high for regular season wins. The Lady Bisons won 20 games last season overall, including three in the A-Sun Tournament.
Outside hitter Katie Stallings, led Campbell to a 1-1 mark on the week, claiming 20 kills and a .385 hitting percentage as the Camels clinched their first Atlantic Sun Tournament berth since 2001. Stallings, the lone senior on Campbell's team, clocked 10 kills on a day designated for her, Senior Day, also hitting .421 with three blocks in a win over Stetson. On Friday against league-leading Florida Gulf Coast, Stallings registered another 10 kills, along with a pair of assists and two digs. The senior's 10 kills and .421 rate were both season highs.
