AIKEN, S.C. -- In the final leg of a three-game conference road trip, Francis Marion fell in straight sets to USC Aiken on Wednesday night (18-25, 17-25, 22-25).

With the loss, FMU drops to 5-10 overall and 3-4 in Peach Belt Conference play. USC Aiken improved to 12-4 overall and 6-2 in the conference. The Patriots will be back in action with a pair of conference home games this weekend. First serve on Friday night against Columbus State is set for 7:00 p.m. The Patriots will quickly turn around and host Montevallo on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Leading the way for FMU against the Pacers were junior Alexzandra Reed and sophomore Caroline Boone. The two big arms combined for 19 kills for FMU, and sophomore Carlie Smith pitched in five kills as well. Reed currently leads all FMU players with 211 kills on the season.

Senior Sloane Shank led the Patriots with 21 assists, giving her 415 on the year so far. On the defensive end, Smith and sophomore Shelby Jones both added three blocks to make up six of FMU's eight blocks on the night.

The Patriots jumped out to early leads in both the second and third sets but were unable to maintain their scoring. FMU's best chance to steal a set came in the third when Reed delivered three straight kills to give the Patriots a late 21-20 lead. USC Aiken was able to bounce back however, winning four of the last five points and winning the match in three sets.  

USC Aiken def. Francis Marion Univ. 25-18,25-17,25-22

Francis Marion Univ. (5-10, 3-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Alexzandra Reed
10-0-0; Caroline Boone 9-0-1; Carlie Smith 5-1-3; Chiquita Rivers
2-0-0; Shelby Jones 1-0-3; Shelby Schindler 1-0-0; Brianna West 0-1-0;
Sloane Shank 0-1-1; Totals 28-3-4.0. (Assists) - Sloane Shank 21. (Dig
leaders) - Sloane Shank 12; Jessica Amador 10; Carlie Smith 8;
Alexzandra Reed 8

USC Aiken (12-4, 6-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Ashley Diedrich 14-0-2;
Alicia Hines 6-0-2; Aly Johnson 6-0-3; Sheila Walsh 4-3-0; Julia
Forster 4-0-0; Taylor Stratton 3-0-2; Danielle Mercer 0-1-0; Monica
Cardona 0-1-0; Totals 37-5-5.0. (Assists) - Sheila Walsh 29. (Dig
leaders) - Monica Cardona 17; Shawn Hotson 17; Ashley Diedrich 10

Site: Aiken, S.C. (Convocation Center)
Date: Oct 08, 2014   Attend: 258   Time: 1:22    
Referees: Thompson, Warren