MONTEVALLO, AL – Francis Marion University came within two points of forcing a decisive fifth set, but the University of Montevallo took advantage of a Patriot attack error and then closed the match with a service ace to take a four-set win (25-21, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23), Friday night (Oct. 21) in Peach Belt Conference women's volleyball action.

FMU (11-8, 5-5) will conclude its weekend road trip with a 2 p.m. match on Saturday at Columbus State University.   The Patriots will host USC Aiken on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for the program's annual Sea of Red Match and Dig Pink match.

Senior Caroline Boone paced FMU with 13 kills, and a .458 attack percentage, while senior Carlie Smith tallied 10 kills and four blocks.  Sophomore setter Carrie McGinnis dished out 36 assists and freshman libero Natalie Vaughn added a team-high 21 digs.

Kristy Bohan led Montevallo (11-10, 4-7) with 13 kills and five blocks, while setter Hannah Christie registered 36 assists and 10 digs.

The Falcons scored the final four points of the opening set to break a 21-21 deadlock.  FMU owned a seven-point advantage at 19-12 in set two before holding off a late Montevallo rally.  The third was tied twice in the early going, but the Falcons never trailed in registering the eight-point win.  In the fourth set, Francis Marion led 18-17 and the score was tied at 18-18, 20-20, and 23-23 before Montevallo recorded the final two points.