MACON, Ga. – Fresh off a thrilling victory against the Temple Owls last Sunday, the Presbyterian College volleyball team is gearing up for a trip to Macon, Georgia, to compete in the Mercer Invitational, held from September 13-14.
 
The Blue Hose will open play on Friday with two matches. First against Southern Miss at 11:00 a.m., followed by a contest against Elon at 5:00 p.m. They'll close out the weekend on Saturday, taking on the host team, Mercer, at 1:00 p.m.
 
GAMEDAY INFO – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 | 11:00 AM
MATCHUP – Presbyterian (2-5) vs Southern Miss (3-3)
LIVE STATS – Statbroadcast
 
GAMEDAY INFO – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 | 5:00 PM
MATCHUP – Presbyterian (2-5) vs Elon (4-4)
LIVE STATS – Statbroadcast
 
GAMEDAY INFO – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 | 1:00 PM
MATCHUP – Presbyterian (2-5) at Mercer (6-1)
WATCH – ESPN+
LIVE STATS – Statbroadcast
 
LAST TIME OUT
Presbyterian College edged the Temple Owls in a thrilling five-set match during their home opener last weekend. The Blue Hose had four players with double-digit kills, led by Hannah Rowe, who achieved a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs. Junior setter Anna Baranski also posted a double-double, recording an impressive 43 assists and 11 digs.
 
A LOOK AT THE BLUE HOSE
- The Blue Hose currently hold a 2-5 record, securing their wins in hard-fought five-set matches against Delaware State and Temple.
- The team has a .152 hitting percentage while averaging 9.7 kills per set. They've shown strength at the net, amassing 64 total blocks, averaging 2.1 blocks per set.
- Four players have tallied 40 or more kills this season, with sophomore outside hitter Courtney Williams leading with 68 kills (2.19 per set). Sophomore Julia Yurkovich is close behind with 66 kills (2.28 per set), adding depth to the offense.
- Junior setter Anna Baranski has been instrumental, totaling 222 assists (7.16 per set) and extending her double-double streak to four matches. She has achieved a double-double in six of the team's seven matches, while also leading the team defensively with 90 digs (2.90 per set).
- Defensively, sophomore middle blocker Brittney Daphnis anchors the Blue Hose at the net with 28 total blocks, six of which are solo efforts. Williams is a close second, adding 27 blocks, including five solo blocks.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – SOUTHERN MISS
- Southern Miss opened the season with a perfect 3-0 record at their home invitational but have since dropped their last three matches at the Ellesyn Invitational, bringing them to a 3-3 overall record.
- The Golden Eagles are hitting .189 on the season and averaging 12.1 kills per set. Defensively, they have posted 39 blocks, maintaining a 2.0 blocks per set average.
- Sophomore outside hitter Sadie McAda leads the offensive charge with 72 kills (3.6 per set), hitting at a .240 percentage.
- Hayden Riddle, a sophomore setter, orchestrates the team's offense with 155 assists (8.16 per set).
- Defensively, sophomore middle blocker Torrey Tkach leads the team with 23 total blocks.
- Head coach Jenny Hazelwood is in her third year leading the Golden Eagles.
- Friday will be the first time Presbyterian and Southern Miss have met since the Blue Hose transitioned to Division I.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – ELON
- The Phoenix have compiled a 4-4 record, securing wins over Gardner-Webb, NC Central, UNC Greensboro, and Norfolk State.
- Elon boasts a .226 hitting percentage and averages 12.6 kills per set. They also pose a threat from the service line with 44 aces, averaging 1.5 aces per set.
- Senior outside hitter Sydney Love powers the Phoenix offense with 102 kills (3.64 per set), hitting at a .254 clip.
- Graduate setter Annabelle Schall leads the playmaking duties with 173 assists (6.18 per set), while freshman Kayla Palmer adds 101 assists (4.59 per set).
- Defensively, senior libero Caroline Doyle anchors the back row with 131 digs (4.52 per set).
- Head coach Mary Tendler is now in her 22nd season at the helm of the Phoenix volleyball program.
- Elon holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series against Presbyterian, with the last meeting in 2021 resulting in a straight-set victory for the Phoenix.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – MERCER
- The Bears have had a strong start to the season, posting a 6-1 record with victories over Quinnipiac, Rhode Island, North Florida, Maryland Eastern Shore, Ohio, and Kennesaw State. Their only loss came at the hands of High Point, a conference opponent of Presbyterian.
- Mercer is hitting at a .211 clip and averages 12.1 kills per set. They've also registered 55 blocks and 73 service aces.
- Senior outside hitter Skye Ekes leads Mercer offensively with 94 kills (3.62 per set).
- Graduate setter Brooke Phillips is the team's primary distributor, accumulating 228 assists (8.77 per set).
- Freshman libero MeMe Davis leads the Bears defensively with 109 digs (4.19 per set).
- Head coach Chad Sutton is in his second year guiding Mercer.
- The all-time series between Presbyterian and Mercer is tied at one win apiece, with the Blue Hose claiming the most recent victory in a five-set battle in 2010.