UNCG Volleyball Takes Down Mercer in Regular Season Finale, 3-1
MACON, GA. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team defeated Mercer on Saturday afternoon, 3-1 (27-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23) in The Southern Conference (SoCon) regular season finale inside Hawkins Arena.
The Spartans conclude the 2026 regular season 20-9 overall and 13-5 in the SoCon. The last time UNCG secured 13 conference wins was in the 2008 season as that team concluded the SoCon slate 14-4 that year. In addition, the last time UNCG had a 20-win season was in 2021 as the Spartans went 24-7 that year.
Saturday’s win over Mercer grants UNCG with the second-place finish in conference play and the No. 2 seed heading into next week’s 2026 SoCon Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 – UNCG used a six-point run to turn a 7-6 deficit into a 12-7 advantage, with Connore’ Siler-Nixon contributing two kills during the stretch. The Spartans extended their lead to 16-9 before Mercer worked its way back, eventually taking a 25-24 lead. UNCG answered by winning the final three points, with Allie Sweet serving back-to-back aces to seal the 27-25 victory.
Set 2 – Trailing 6-5, the Spartans scored five straight points to move ahead, 10-6. Mia Nicklas recorded an ace during the run, while Kendall Lanclos capped it with a kill. UNCG later held a 16-15 edge following a block by Hailey Clifton and Siler-Nixon, but Mercer responded with six consecutive points. Sweet added a pair of late kills before the Bears took the set, 25-19.
Set 3 – The Spartans erased a 15-11 deficit with eight unanswered points to take control, 19-15. Izora Gragg delivered consecutive service aces during the rally, while Sweet contributed four kills and Clifton teamed up with Siena Smiejek for a block. Mercer trimmed the margin to 23-22, but Sweet put away the final two points to give UNCG a 25-22 win. The Spartans totaled 20 kills and hit .432 in the frame.
Set 4 – UNCG again rallied from a four-point deficit, using a five-point stretch to turn a 14-10 Mercer lead into a 15-14 Spartan advantage. Chloe Nussbaum served an ace during the run, which Sweet finished with consecutive kills. After the teams traded points, Nicklas delivered an ace to put UNCG ahead, 20-19. The Spartans later scored three straight points to build a 23-20 cushion. Mercer fought off two match points before Sweet’s final kill secured the set, 25-23, and the match.
BY THE NUMBERS
Sweet registered her 44th career double-double and 21st this season, pacing the contest with 34 kills and adding 12 digs.
Her 34 kills marked her 16th match with 20-plus kills and fourth match with 30-plus kills this season.
Gragg was one dig shy of a double-double, leading UNCG with 46 assists and adding nine digs.
Lanclos added 11 kills to round out the Spartans with double-figure kills.
Nussbaum led UNCG with 19 digs, while Nicklas registered 11.
Clifton, Smiejek and Siler-Nixon recorded three blocks apiece.
RECORDS
UNCG: 20-9, 13-5 SoCon
MER: 17-13, 11-7 SoCon
UP NEXT
UNCG will await its fate in the 2026 SoCon Tournament held from Nov. 19-22 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina.
Courtesy of Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro