AIKEN, S.C. - Shannon Byers recorded a 14-kill, 14-dig double-double to lead regionally fourth-ranked USC Aiken to a thrilling 3-2 Peach Belt Conference victory over Francis Marion University, Friday evening (Oct. 16) in volleyball action at the Convocation Center.

Before a large crowd of mainly students on the inaugural Greek Night at the Convocation Center, USC Aiken jumped out to a 25-20 victory in the first game. In the second set, Francis Marion rallied late to earn a 26-24 victory. The Pacers returned from the intermission break to obtain a 25-19 victory in the third set. The Patriots once again grabbed a game in the fourth with a 25-20 win over the Pacers.

USC Aiken dominated the fifth and deciding game, garnering a 15-9 victory.

USC Aiken improves to 12-9 overall and 4-5 in the PBC, while Francis Marion drops to 9-10 and 2-6.

The Pacers hit in the positives in all five games, while the Pacer defense held the Patriots to three .000 hitting games in the five-set match.

Francis Marion was led by junior middleblocker Mallory Eggert, who concluded the match with a career-high 14 kills and six blocks. She was assisted by FMU's two-setter tandem of Hallie Legg (19 assists) and Jess O'Leary (16 assists), while junior libero Kelsie Deaton dug up a team-high 10 balls.

Megan Disney was the closest to Byers' kill total on the night, finishing with 11 kills on 22 attempts. Chelsey Kight and Susan MacClary both finished the match with 10 kills.  Samantha Lukralle spurred the Pacers' defensive effort with a match-high 24 digs. The two-quarterback senior tandem of Lauren Cedeno and Whitney Tabbert guided the Pacer attack in the match, finishing with 29 and 25 assists respectively.

Francis Marion will play at Lander University on Saturday afternoon.