CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern volleyball will hit the road for the first time this fall when it travels to Macon, Georgia, for the Mercer Bears Classic. The tournament will feature three matches, starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday against Queens (N.C.) before squaring off against Southern Miss at 1 p.m. Saturday and closing with host Mercer at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Buccaneers own a 2-2 record thus far entering the stretch, picking up triumphs over Appalachian State (3-2) and South Carolina State (3-0). Head coach David McFatrich's squad played host to the Zaxby's presents the VolleyBucs VolleyPalooza over the weekend, also welcoming California Baptist and St. John's to town.

Preseason All-Big South selection Peyton Thompson leads the way with 47 kills (3.36 per set), with Skylar Yates (38), Indigo Young (32) and Giada Pais-Marden (30) also with at least 30 in the early going. Of those players, Young's .441 hitting percentage sets the pace.

CSU has utilized two primary setters as Emilee Karelse and Ilaria Durante have combined for 142 of the 159 assists thus far, while Angelika Rusin has been on the receiving end of 62 digs. Emily Struckmeyer leads the team with 15 total blocks, including three solo.

Friday's clash with Queens (N.C.) will be the first in program history as the Royals made the DI jump this season into the Atlantic Sun. Queens (N.C.) opened its campaign with a 2-1 ledger at the UNC Asheville Invitational, topping Stonehill and host UNC Asheville under head coach Hannah Long.

Saturday's meeting with Southern Miss will be just the second time the two squads have met and first since 2000 when they squared off in Tallahassee, Florida. The Golden Eagles went 2-1 at the Crimson Tide Invitational, knocking off UTSA and McNeese State before falling to host Alabama under head coach Jenny Hazelwood.

Mercer is a familiar opponent to the Buccaneers over the years with Charleston Southern owning an 11-1 all-time series advantage but the two sides have not met since 2012. The Bears began their campaign under head coach Derek Schroeder at 1-2, dropping decisions to Lehigh and Florida Atlantic before beating Alabama A&M at the FAU Invitational.

Live stats will be provided throughout the weekend, while the Saturday nightcap against Mercer will be broadcast on ESPN+.