FLORENCE, SC – Junior Emily Sears pounded out 18 kills and junior libero Rebekah Davis dug up a season-high equaling 28 balls as Francis Marion University claimed a four-set win over Erskine College, 25-20, 29-27, 27-29, 25-11, Friday afternoon (Sept. 13) in non-conference women's volleyball action.

FMU opens its season 4-1 for the third time in the past four campaigns.  The Patriots will begin Peach Belt Conference play on Saturday night as they entertain Flagler College at 7 p.m. in the Smith University Center.  Admission is free.

Behind Sears, senior Jessica Imbimbo recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 16 digs, while sophomore Alexzandra Reed also had 11 kills.  Junior setter Sloane Shank dished out 28 assists in three sets, while senior Kailey Smith tallied 11 assists in her one set of action.

Junior Caitlin Bullock and freshman A.J. Campbell led Erskine (1-4) with 15 kills apiece.  Bullock also registered 14 digs, while junior setter Megan Johnson handed out 40 assists and dug up a team-high 21 balls.

FMU recorded the final three points of the opening set to go ahead 1-0 and then overcame a late six-point deficit to capture the second set 29-27.  Erskine returned the favor in set three by erasing a 22-19 FMU advantage to win 29-27.  Imbimbo served 10 times during an early 10-0 Francis Marion run in set four as the Patriots pulled away to an easy 25-11 clinching victory.

Francis Marion Univ. def. Erskine College 25-20,29-27,27-29,25-11

Erskine College (1-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Caitlin Bullock 15-2-0;
A.J. Campbell 15-0-3; Kelly Sullivan 10-0-2; Marissa Greenough 5-0-1;
Megan Johnson 2-1-1; Kendall Kirk 1-0-0; Catherine Hurt 0-0-1; Marissa
Mayfield 0-0-1; Allie Evans 0-0-1; Anna Butrym 0-1-0; Totals 48-4-5.0.
(Assists) - Megan Johnson 40. (Dig leaders) - Megan Johnson 21; Anna
Butrym 19; Caitlin Bullock 14; Kendall Kirk 8

Francis Marion Univ. (4-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Emily Sears 18-1-1;
Jessica Imbimbo 11-2-2; Alexzandra Reed 11-1-0; Megan Mooney 5-1-3;
Sloane Shank 2-1-1; Shelby Jones 2-0-2; Rebekah Davis 1-1-0; Brianna
West 1-0-0; Carlie Smith 0-1-0; Totals 51-8-5.0. (Assists) - Sloane
Shank 28; Kailey Smith 11. (Dig leaders) - Rebekah Davis 28; Jessica
Imbimbo 16; Alexzandra Reed 8

Site: Florence, SC (Smith Univ. Center)
Date: Sep 13, 2013   Attend: 126   Time: 2:01    
Referees: Andrea DeBaun, Robert Webb
Liberos: Davis (FMU), Butrym (EC)