MACON, Ga. – The Samford University volleyball team fell to Mercer University 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-20) on Friday, Oct. 16, on the side court inside of a raucous Hawkins Arena.

The Bulldogs (8-8, 3-3 SoCon) initiated their offense seamlessly in the initial set and hit an impressive .455 on their way to a 25-20 decision which gave them a 1-0 lead in the match over the Bears (9-11, 4-4 SoCon). T.J. Russell and Erin Bognar combined for nine of Samford's 18 kills in the set.

The momentum obtained in the first set quickly carried over to the next and Samford at one time had improved its' hitting percentage to .625 before the offensive output came slowly came to a halt. Mercer grinded until they captured a 17-16 lead in set to which they wouldn't relinquish. The Bears closed out the set on an 8-5 run to claim a 25-21 decision and 1-1 tie going into the intermission.

Mercer utilized the electric energy of the home crowd and capitalized on the momentum gained headed into the intermission in the third set of play. With a home crowd prepared to come unglued after every point, the Bears easily commanded the third set 25-15.

In the final set of the match Samford dug down deep and settled in to fight and earn every point but the momentum already gained by the Bears gave them the confidence to execute in a manner needed to win. Mercer out produced Samford 13 kills (.273) to nine kills (.143) to take the deciding set 25-20.

Russell ended the night with team-high 11 kills (.273) while Mattie Newson led the defense with 13 digs.

The trio of Monica Johnson, Morgan MacGilvary and Emily Krogman ended the night with nine kills apiece in the match to lead the Bears.

The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow whenever they take on Chattanooga at 5 p.m. (CST) in Chattanooga, Tennessee.