FLORENCE, SC – After falling behind two sets to none, Francis Marion University rallied to win the next two sets and force a fifth set, but visiting UNC Pembroke prevailed to take a 26-24, 25-22, 21-25, 14-25, 15-6 victory over the Patriots, Friday night (Oct. 2) in Peach Belt Conference women's volleyball action.

Francis Marion (9-5, 3-3) will travel to USC Aiken for a PBC match on Tuesday at 7 p.m.  The next home contest for FMU will be Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. against Georgia College.

Junior Carlie Smith led the Patriots with 13 kills and five blocks.  Senior Alexzandra Reed added 12 kills and 11 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.  She also closed to within 18 kills of 1,000 for her career. 

Junior middleblocker Carolina Boone pounded out nine kills and registered a career-high 11 blocks, the highest single-match total for a Patriot in four seasons.  Danielle Parker tallied 11 blocks versus Carson-Newman College on Sept. 3, 2011.

FMU freshman Georgia Garrison recorded nine kills, 17 digs, and three service aces.  Freshman setter Carrie McGinnis dished out 21 assists and junior setter Samantha Hinrichs 20, while sophomore libero Shelbi Meek led FMU defensively with 23 digs.  McGinnis also dug up 10 balls to post her third double-double.

Francis Marion's team total of 14 blocks was also the highest for the Patriots in four years.

Nicole Mathews paced UNCP (4-14, 1-5) with 15 kills and 27 digs. Setters Bailee Jones (23) and Jenna Dunsmore (17) combined for 40 assists, while libero Ka'Asha Jefferies dug up 21 balls and served five aces

After falling in the 0-2 hole, Francis Marion pulled away late to win the third set 25-21 on a kill by Boone.  Garrison served eight straight points – including her three aces – during a late run that allowed FMU to lead from wire-to-wire in a 25-14 set-four victory.  UNCP won five of the first six points in the final set and never trailed en route to the clinching win.

UNC Pembroke def. Francis Marion Univ. 26-24,25-22,21-25,14-25,15-6

UNC Pembroke (4-14, 1-5 PBC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Nicole Mathews
15-1-1; Caroline Pridgen 11-0-3; Jada Vernon 9-0-2; Cecilia Brandon
5-2-3; Brittani Jefferson 5-0-1; Mallory Davis 3-0-0; Bailee Jones
2-2-0; Aquia Jones 1-0-2; Jenna Dunsmore 1-2-0; Cayce Bell 0-1-0;
Ka'Asha Jefferies 0-5-0; Totals 52-13-6.0. (Assists) - Bailee Jones
23; Jenna Dunsmore 17. (Dig leaders) - Nicole Mathews 27; Ka'Asha
Jefferies 21; Cayce Bell 18; Jenna Dunsmore 14

Francis Marion Univ. (9-5, 3-3 PBC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Carlie Smith
13-0-5; Alexzandra Reed 12-2-4; Caroline Boone 9-1-11; Georgia
Garrison 9-3-2; Emily Sears 3-0-2; Kadeeja Griffin 3-0-2; Samantha
Hinrichs 2-0-0; Shelbi Meek 1-1-0; Carrie McGinnis 0-1-0; Totals
52-8-14.0. (Assists) - Carrie McGinnis 21; Samantha Hinrichs 20. (Dig
leaders) - Shelbi Meek 23; Georgia Garrison 17; Alexzandra Reed 11;
Carrie McGinnis 10; Samantha Hinrichs 8

Site: Florence, SC (Smith Univ. Center)
Date: Oct 02, 2015   Attend: 177   Time: 2:07   
Referees: Glenn Goudy, Holly Meckley, D. Perry; J. Allen
Liberos: Meek (FMU), Jefferies (UNCP)