SAVANNAH, Ga.  – Freshman outside hitter Amanda Rullan Vilanova led Savannah State University with 10 kills and three service aces as the Lady Tigers fell to Mercer 3-0 (2-25, 12-25, 21-25) Wednesday in Willcox-Wiley Gymnasium.
 
The Bayamon, Puerto Rico native added six digs, a block assist and hit .296, while freshman setter Salma Gonzalez nearly missed a double-double with a team-high 15 assists and nine digs and added three kills. Freshman libero Leiri Melendez tied a game-high with 15 digs.
 
Junior outside hitter Jennifer Rosado added five kills, while freshmen middle blockers Tyran Chenault and Oneillia Fuller each added four kills. Senior setter Alee Quint added 14 assists and freshman outside hitter added two service aces and six digs.
 
Savannah State scored seven of the first 11 points in the first set to take a three-point lead, 7-4, but Mercer scored the next five points to take a two-point lead, 9-7. The Lady Tigers scored six of the next eight points to take a two-point lead, 13-11, but Mercer outscored SSU 14-11 during the rest of the set to win the set and to take a 1-0 match lead.
 
Mercer scored the first four points of the second stanza to take a 4-0 lead, but Savannah State scored the next two points to cut the lead to two points, 4-2. The Bears scored five of the next seven points to increase the lead to five points, 9-4, but back-to-back kills by SSU cut the lead to three points, 9-6.

MU outscored SSU 16-6 during the rest of the set to win the set and to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Savannah State scored seven of the first nine points in the final frame to take a seven-point lead, 7-2, but Mercer scored 15 of the next 20 points to take a five-point lead, 17-12, forcing a Lady Tiger timeout. After the timeout, Savannah State scored five of the next six points to cut the lead to a point, 18-17, but Mercer scored seven of the final 11 points to win the set and the match.
 
The Bears were led by Paige Alsten with 13 kills, Maddie Nunley with 36 assists and Danielle Faust with 15 digs.