After falling to the University of Connecticut Huskies in the opening round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championships earlier this month, the Mercer Bears volleyball program wrapped up a historic 2024 season.
The Bears came away with their first outright regular season conference title, became the winningest team in program history and went undefeated at home for the first time in program history. Over the course of the season, Mercer went 26-7, including three separate winning streaks of five games or more, and the team went 14-2 within the Southern Conference.
Outside hitter Skye Ekes ‘25 received American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Southeast Region Honorable Mention honors to top off her year as a graduate student. She was among a list of names from powerhouse schools like the University of Florida, Florida State and Georgia Tech.
Ekes contributed a conference-leading 470 kills, averaging 3.81 per set and a .227 hitting percentage. Her 37 service aces played a large part in Mercer’s record-breaking 260 total for the team this season. She was named SoCon Player of the Year and received First Team All-Conference honors to add to her list of accomplishments.
Out of 211 student-athletes listed for All-Region, Ekes is the first player in program history to receive this honor for the Bears.
Brooke Phillips '25 earned Setter of the Year with 1,065 assists, reaching the 1,000 assists mark in Mercer's regular season championship-clinching win over Wofford College on Nov. 15. The graduate setter also led the conference in service aces with 69, according to Mercer Athletics.
Four other Bears also won All-Conference awards, giving Mercer the most out of all SoCon teams.
Skyler Bumpers ‘25 recorded 25 service aces and 75 total blocks on the regular season, giving her a spot on the All-Conference First Team.
MeMe Davis ‘28 tallied a season-high against Furman University on Nov. 7. The Gainesville, Fla. native also raked in 98 assists and 34 service aces, earning her Second Team All-Conference and All-Freshmen Team honors.
Two more freshmen, Sophia Henry ‘28 and Lou Johnson ‘28, made immediate impact for Mercer’s offense during the season to earn them All-Freshman accolades.
Pariss Nicholson ‘26 is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Media Studies at Mercer University. She hopes to report or write for ESPN after she graduates. Outside of her studies, she likes to read and watch sports games in her room.
