GREENVILLE, N.C.- UConn volleyball returned to the postseason for the first time since 2021, battling Mercer University in the first round of the NIVC. 

UConn's three all-conference selections all got on the board early, with Doga Kutlu, Emma Werkmeister, and Taylor Pannell all pouring in a kill each. Errors put the Huskies in an early 9-4 hole, with Mercer hitting at an efficient .571 in the opening moments of the frame, with SoCon player of the year Skye Ekes chipping in 3 of her own. UConn stormed back on a 7-0 run, with two aces from Werkmeister and another kill from Pannell helping the Huskies jump in front 15-12. Mercer capitalized on UConn miscues, rattling off four of five in the closing moments of the set to reduce the Husky lead to 20-18. UConn was able to close out the first frame on the backs of their all-conference core at 25-21. 

The second set was tightly contested, as the sides traded points, knotted at 6-all. Werkmeister's strong serve generated a plethora of Mercer errors to lead the charge to get UConn in front 11-7. Hanna Tylska registered two terminations, and blocks from Anna Herman and Pannell stretched the UConn lead all the way to 16-9 in the second.  Kills from Lou Johnson, Gia Padilla, and Sophia Henry fueled a 4-0 Mercer run as the UConn lead dwindled to 16-14. The defense continued to shine in the second, with blocks from Winn, Pannell, and Kutlu anchoring the Huskies. It was all UConn in the closing moments of the second, with Herman and Tylska each contributing kills as the Huskies took a commanding 2-0 set lead 

With their eyes on a postseason victory, UConn leapt in front 9-5 following two consecutive Mercer errors, pushing the Bears to call a timeout. Herman continued her strong offensive performance, tied for the team-lead in kills hitting at an outstanding.700 hit percentage to get the Huskies up 13-6 in the third. The balanced scoring attack elevated UConn to a whole different level in the third set, as the Huskies picked up their first postseason win since 2021, sweeping Mercer, setting up a date with either Winthrop or host East Carolina tomorrow night in the second round

Herman and Werkmeister led the Huskies with 9 kills apiece. Ekes had a match-high 13 for the Bears in the defeat. 

Up Next: UConn will await the winner of the Winthrop/ East Carolina match in the second round tomorrow night at 6pm in Greenville, streaming on ESPN+.