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Benjamin Lilley

Wolves Set to Compete in Mercer Invitational

9/16/2025 9:05:00 AM

By: Danny Talbert
CARROLLTON, Ga. - West Georgia volleyball looks to carry the momentum of its first win of 2025 into the upcoming week of competition, as the Wolves are set to travel to Macon to compete in the Mercer Invitational, spanning Thursday through Saturday (Sept. 18-20). 

The Wolves (1-9) open the invitational with a 6 p.m. Thursday match against Mercer (1-9), followed by a match vs UT Martin (1-7) on Friday at 4 p.m. and a 10 a.m Saturday match vs North Dakota (1-7). Video streaming is available ESPN+ for the Mercer match, while the other two will just have live stats. All of the coverage links are tagged at the top of the page.

Coming off of a 3-2 win over UNC Greensboro, West Georgia's victory was highlighted by multiple Wolves securing career and season-highs in a plethora of categories. Pushing the pace for the Pack last weekend was Valiree Schmus, who posted a career-high 17.5 points and 14 kills. Currently, the freshman leads the team with 105 points and 89 kills. Another Wolf coming off a highlight performance is Sanai Young. Against UNCG, the middle blocker recorded a season-high eight blocks, the most by an ASUN player in a five-set match this season. Through three weeks of competition, Young ranks seventh in the ASUN in blocks per set with a 0.97 average. As a team, the Wolves have recorded a .109 attack percentage and a .896 reception percentage.

Riding a four-game losing skid, the Mercer Bears have their focus set on securing their second win of 2025 at their lone home tournament of the season. 2024 Southern Conference All-Freshman honoree, Sophia Henry, leads the Bears in scoring with 81.5 points and 74 kills. On defense, libero Aubri Martin posts a Mercer-best 149 digs, which is the second-most in the SOCON currently. The Bears post a .139 team attack percentage and a .894 team reception percentage. Thursday's match marks the first time UWG and Mercer have faced off in volleyball. 

Like the Wolves, UT Martin also secured their first win of 2025 this past weekend, grabbing a 3-2 victory over Lamar (Sept. 13). Outside hitter Kayla Bryant leads the Skyhawks with 76 points, fueled by her team-high 61 kills and 14 service aces. Looking at the UTM defense, libero Abby Freund has recorded a team-high 123 digs for a 4.56 digs per set average, the 32nd-best average in the country. As a team, the Skyhawks have posted a .112 attack percentage and a .905 reception percentage. This match is the first time UWG has played against UT Martin. 

The final team UWG will face this weekend, North Dakota, also won their first match of the season last Saturday, a 3-0 victory over Idaho. Leading the Fighting Hawks in scoring is outside hitter Paige Barber with 102 points and 94 kills, which is just under one-third of the total ND points scored this season (.295 of the 345). On defense, libero Izzie McCormick leads North Dakota with 83 digs and middle blocker Marianna Rivera posts a team-best 18 blocks. As a team, the Fighting Hawks post a .106 attack percentage and a .890 reception percentage. Saturday's match is the first time the Wolves have taken on North Dakota. 

All available streaming and live stat links for the Mercer Invitational are tagged at the top of the page. First serve from Hawkins Arena is at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

 
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