MILLEDGEVILLE, GA – A late Francis Marion University rally fell just short in the fifth set as the Patriots lost to Georgia College 25-19,19-25,25-27,25-21,15-13, Friday night (Nov. 6) in Peach Belt Conference women's volleyball action.

The Patriots trailed 14-7 in the final set and rattled off six straight points behind the serving of freshman Georgia Garrison to pull within a single point at 14-13.  However, the Bobcats' Kayla Brockway came up with a match-ending kill to thwart the FMU rally.

The final point also capped a Georgia College (11-14, 5-11) comeback as FMU held a two-set-to-one lead at one point.

Francis Marion falls to 14-11 overall and sees its conference mark evened at 7-7.  The Patriots will play at Augusta University on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.  The next home match for Francis Marion will be its annual Senior Night match on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. against the University of Montevallo.

The loss overshadowed a huge performance from FMU senior Alexzandra Reed, who tallied 21 kills, 27 digs, and six blocks.  Junior middleblocker Caroline Boone registered 14 kills and seven blocks, while junior Carlie Smith added 12 kills and 21 digs.

Garrison finished the contest with seven service aces.  Junior setter Samantha Hinrichs handed out 29 assists, while freshman Carrie McGinnis dished out 24 helpers.  Sophomore libero Shelbi Meek dug up a team-high 29 balls.

Taylor Svehla led Georgia College with 15 kills and eight blocks, while Brockway – the setter – recorded 45 assists and 11 digs.  Libero Katie Ray led all players with 31 digs.

Kills by senior Emily Sears and Reed provided the winning margin for Francis Marion in the third-set 27-25 win as the Patriots took a 2-1 advantage.