FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University bested conference-leading USC Aiken in the opening set and nearly pulled out the second one before the Pacers rallied to win the match in four sets 18-25, 27-25, 25-18, 25-19, Tuesday evening (Oct. 25) in Peach Belt Conference women's volleyball action.

Francis Marion suffers its fourth straight PBC setback to drop to 11-10 overall and 5-7 in the Peach Belt, while USCA ups its marks to 21-3 and 10-2.  FMU will celebrate Senior Night on Friday when the Patriots entertain Georgia College at 7 p.m.  Francis Marion will then play host to Augusta University on Alumni Day, Saturday at 2 p.m.

Junior Erick Hartings led four Patriots with double-digit kills as she pounded out 12.  Senior Caroline Boone and sophomore Georgia Garrison both had 11 and senior Carlie Smith 10.  Sophomore setter Carrie McGinnis handed out 41 assists and freshman libero Natalie Vaughn had a team-high 23 digs, while Garrison completed a doubel-double with 11 digs.

Julia Forster led USCA with 18 kills, while Emily Teelon registered 45 assists and libero Danielle Mercer dug up 29 balls.

FMU scored seven of the final nine points in set one to take the early advantage in sets.  A pair of kills by Shawn Hotson snapped a 25-25 deadlock in the second set to give the Pacers the win that evened the match at one set apiece.

A 5-0 spurt by USCA midway through set four gave the Pacers a comfortable margin they would not relinquish.  Trailing 17-10 in the fourth set, Francis Marion rallied to within 20-17, but USCA closed the match with a 5-2 run.