COLUMBUS, GA – A 6-0 run in the fifth and final set allowed Columbus State University to pull away and earned a 22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 15-11 win over Francis Marion University, Saturday afternoon (Oct. 22) in Peach Belt Conference women's volleyball action.

Francis Marion drops to 11-9 overall and 5-6 in the Peach Belt, while the Cougars improve to 13-8 and 4-7.  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 Carlie Smith led Francis Marion with 13 kills, while junior Erika Hartings had nine and senior Caroline Boone eight.  Freshman middle blocker Lenee' Blot tallied six kills and a team-high five blocks.

Freshman libero Natalie Vaughn dug up 22 balls, while sophomore setter Carrie McGinnis compiled 37 assists and 12 digs.  Junior Shelbi Meek added 10 digs and served four aces.

Megan Frame paced four Cougars in double-digit kills with 17.  Setter Abby King handed out 55 assists.

Francis Marion won the opening set, but CSU rallied to win the next two.  The Patriots scored the opening three points of the fourth set and never trailed en route to a 25-16 victory that forced the fifth set.  In the final game, FMU scored the first point, but the Cougars answered with six in a row and eventually assumed a 13-6 advantage.