ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – Senior Liz Drewry tallied 15 kills and eight digs, but it was not enough to advance Francis Marion University in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament as the Patriots lost a four-set decision (25-16, 23-25, 25-12, 25-19) to Flagler College in the quarterfinals on Friday evening (Nov. 16).

FMU likely ends its season with an 18-12 record, its best mark in four years.  Ranked eighth in the latest NCAA region poll, the Patriots have only a very slim shot at earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.  The tournament field will be announced on Sunday evening.

Drewry recorded her 15 kills on 41 swings and committed only one error for a .341 hitting percentage.  Junior Jessica Imbimbo added 10 kills and eight digs, while junior setter Kailey Smith handed out 32 assists.  Sophomore libero Rebekah Davis dug up 21 balls, her third straight 20+ performance and fourth in the past five matches.

Flagler (21-9) improves to a perfect 10-0 in four conference tournament appearances. The Saints' Emilee Taylor led all players with 19 kills against just four errors and added three service aces. Dianna Craine booked a double-double with 15 kills and 13 digs, while setter Amelia Morgan logged 52 assists and Casey Gnann netted 15 digs.

Francis Marion trailed only 12-11 in the opening set, but the Saints finished on a 13-5 run to take the early advantage.  Set two was much tighter with Flagler holding a late 21-19 lead.  However, a diving dig by Drewry that resulted in a point for FMU sparked a Patriot rally that saw Francis Marion take a 23-22 lead.  Flager knotted the score at 23-23, but consecutive kills by Megan Mooney and Drewry off sets from Smith gave FMU a 26-24 win and squared up the match at 1-1.

The Saints opened up an 11-5 lead in the third set en route to a 25-12 win.  FMU battled hard in the fourth set but eventually succumbed 25-19.  The contest featured 14 ties and six lead changes, with all but three of those coming in the second set.

          Liz Drewry