In a match-up that pitted two teams from the Atlantic Sun Conference who badly needed a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Lady Bucs volleyball squad came up short Friday night against Mercer.
With a 9-1 record at home coming into the weekend, the Lady Bucs kept each game close, but serving errors and careless mistakes led to a 3-1 defeat.
The loss snapped the Lady Bucs eight-game home winning streak and dropped their record to 16-10 overall, 2-5 in the conference.
Mercer took the first game 30-24 but the Lady Bucs battled back to take the second game 30-28.
After halftime Mercer closed out the match with wins of 30-26 and 30-23. Jennifer Sartor (Toronto, Ontario) led the way for the Lady Bucs with a match-high 17 kills, followed by Sarah Buhr (Stockton, Calif.) with 12 kills and 14 digs. Junior setter Brittany Kessel (Libertyville, Ill.) had 27 assists.
Coach Lindsey Devine and the team wouldn’t have to wait long before getting back into action.
The Lady Bucs faced Stetson in another must-win game for the playoff hopeful squad Saturday. The Lady Bucs came out firing in game one taking a 5-1 early lead. Led by Buhrs’ six kills, the Lady Bucs never trailed while taking the game 30-25. In game two Stetson kept the score close, but Crystal Palmer (Chico, Calif.) steadied the squad with her six kills, leading the team to a 30-26 win.
By game three the Lady Bucs had wore down the visiting Hatters, taking a convincing 30-23 win to close out the match 3-0. Buhr posted her second double-double of the weekend with 10 kills and 16 digs. Jennifer Emerson (Santa Clara, Calif.) and Kessel combined for 45 assists in the match.
With the victory the Lady Bucs clinched a spot in the A-Sun Conference tournament which will be held Nov. 18 in Nashville. The team also improved to 17-10 on the season and 3-5 in conference play. Devine said “the overall depth and the addition of several key players with positive attitudes” have helped turn this year’s team into contenders.
Senior Sara Scandiffio (Purcellville, Va.), who has been with the team during its past three losing seasons, gives credit to coach Devine for the team’s success this season. “The coach owns the team now,” Scandiffio said. “She’s really coming into her own here.”
Senior Day festivities were also held before Saturday’s match. Seniors Katie Longden (Fort Dodge, Iowa) and Sara Scandiffio were honored before the game in front of the many parents who attended the event. Scandiffio, an advertising major, plans to pursue a professional career on the California beach volleyball circuit after graduation, while Longden, who is majoring in sports medicine and physical therapy, says she will most likely return to Iowa.
The Lady Bucs host UNC-Asheville Nov. 1, before traveling south to face Florida Atlantic, who is undefeated in conference play this season. Two more road games against Florida International and Western Carolina close out the regular season for the Lady Bucs. The team hopes to build momentum for their upcoming road trip at their final home game Tuesday at Brooks Gym at 7 p.m.

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