FLORENCE, SC – Junior setter Kailey Smith registered a double-double with 13 assists and 10 digs and Francis Marion University rode a balanced hitting attack to claim a 25-15, 25-20, 25-23 non-conference win over Barton College, Tuesday night (Oct. 23) in women's volleyball action.  The contest was FMU's annual Dig Pink Match to help raise funds for and awareness of breast cancer.

Francis Marion ran its winning streak to six matches while upping its overall record to 15-7.  The Patriots return to Peach Belt Conference action this weekend as FMU faces the PBC's top two squads on the road – at Flagler College on Friday at 7 p.m. and at Armstrong Atlantic State University on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Senior outside hitter Liz Drewry paced the Francis Marion hitting attack with 10 kills, while freshman Alexzandra Reed and junior Jessica Imbimbo had nine each, and junior Megan Mooney added eight.  Sophomore setter Sloane Shank handed out 16 assists, while sophomore libero Rebekah Davis dug up a team-high 12 balls.

Melissa Cochran and Meredith Watkins led Barton (7-15) with eight kills apiece, while setter Amanda Grandy recorded 27 assists and nine digs.  Bulldog libero Chelsea Fleury tallied 12 digs.

The Patriots did not trail through the opening two sets.  Barton owned a 23-19 advantage late in set three, but Francis Marion ran off the final six points of the match to claim the victory.  Smith served for the final five points of the run, including one service ace, while Drewry posted two of her kills.

Individuals wishing to make a donation to support the Side-Out Foundation and its battle against breast cancer can visit https://www.side-out.org/cb/ous/fundraising_page/2573 or go to the volleyball page on www.fmupatriots.com