COLUMBUS, GA – Francis Marion University took advantage of some attacking errors by Columbus State University to rally in the fifth set for a marathon 25-17, 26-24, 19-25, 27-29, 15-12 win over the Cougars, Friday night (Oct. 11) in Peach Belt Conference volleyball action.

The Patriots extend their winning streak to 10 matches, improve to 12-1 overall, and remain unbeaten in PBC play at 7-0.  Three of those conference wins have come on the road, and all three have been five-set contests.

FMU will play two matches at the University of Montevallo (Ala.) on Saturday.  The Patriots will face the Falcons in PBC action at 1:30 p.m. and then play a non-conference tilt against the University of Southern Arkansas at 3:30 p.m.

Junior Emily Sears led FMU on Friday with 15 kills, while committing only one attack error in 37 swings.  Senior Jessica Imbimbo added 13 kills and sophomore Alexzandra Reed 12 kills and five blocks.

Patriot senior setter Kailey Smith handed out 48 assists, while junior libero Rebekah Davis tallied 31 digs.

CSU (11-7, 4-4) fought off three match points in the fourth set before capturing the 29-27 win.

In set five, Francis Marion scored the first three points only to see the Cougars go on a 7-1 run and lead 7-4.  The Cougars held an 11-9 advantage, but FMU closed the match on a 6-1 spurt.  Four of the points came on attacking errors by CSU, including one caused by a block by Imbimbo and junior Shelby Jones.  Imbimbo accounted for the final point with a kill off a set by Smith.  .

Francis Marion Univ. def. Columbus State Univ. 25-17,26-24,19-25,27-29,15-12