Box Score
HARTSVILLE, SC - After dropping the opening set, Francis Marion University stormed back to win the next three sets in convincing fashion as the Patriots beat local-rival Coker College 22-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-13, Tuesday evening (Oct. 16) in non-conference women's volleyball action.
Francis Marion ups its record to 12-7 and in the process equals the team's win total for the entire 2011 season. The Patriots also continue their dominance in the series against the Cobras, now holding a 51-8 all-time advantage.
Junior Jessica Imbimbo led FMU with 16 kills and a .324 hitting percentage. Junior middle blocker Megan Mooney registered 10 kills and five blocks, while senior Liz Drewry had eight kills and a team-high 16 digs. Sophomore libero Rebekah Davis added 12 digs.
The Patriot setting duo of Kailey Smith (22) and Sloane Shank (10) combined for 32 assists, with Smith also serving three of the team's 10 aces.
Taylor Willis led Coker (5-18) with 12 kills, four blocks, and three service aces. Setter Samantha Celek handed out 29 assists and dug up 13 balls.
After losing the tight first set, the Patriots found themselves tied 11-11 midway through set two. However, FMU closed with a 14-5 run to even the match at one set apiece.
Coker would score the opening point in the third set, but FMU then tied the score and never trailed again en route to the 25-14 victory. In the final set, Francis Marion trailed 11-8, but scored 17 of the final 19 points behind the serving of Smith and Meghan Peji.
FMU will play a pair of non-conference matches on Saturday at the Augusta State University, facing Erskine College at 2 p.m. and Queens University of Charlotte at 4:30 p.m.
Francis Marion Univ. def. Coker College 22-25,25-16,25-14,25-13
Francis Marion Univ. (12-7) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Jessica Imbimbo
16-1-1; Megan Mooney 10-0-5; Liz Drewry 8-2-2; Alexzandra Reed 7-2-2;
Sloane Shank 2-0-3; Rebekah Davis 1-0-0; Alex Matz 1-0-2; Kailey Smith
0-3-0; Shelby Jones 0-2-1; Totals 45-10-9.0. (Assists) - Kailey Smith
22; Sloane Shank 10. (Dig leaders) - Liz Drewry 16; Rebekah Davis 12
Coker College (5-18) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Taylor Willis 12-3-4; Catie
Truzzolino 6-0-0; Hannah Vadakin 5-1-1; Samantha Celek 2-1-0; Loren
Hill 2-0-0; April Griggs 2-0-1; Mindy Morris 1-0-0; Amy Herbert 1-0-0;
Kelley Stine 0-0-1; Brittany Bass 0-2-0; Totals 31-7-5.0. (Assists) -
Samantha Celek 29. (Dig leaders) - Samantha Celek 13; Brittany Bass
12; Hannah Cabaniss 10
Site: Hartsville, SC (TimberlakeLawton Gym)
Date: Oct 16, 2012 Attend: 189 Time: 1:41
Referees: Tony Hill, Richard Holstead
