FLORENCE, SC – Sophomore Alyssa Hansen's 14 kills helped lead the Francis Marion University volleyball team to a three-set victory over Chowan University in non-conference play on Tuesday evening (Sept. 24) in the Smith University Center.

The Patriots, now 7-6, claimed the win by scores of 25-22, 25-14, and 26-24. FMU returns to action on Friday (Sept. 27) at 6:30 when the Patriots host Claflin University.

Hansen hit a .300 percentage on the match, while also digging up 11 balls.  Sophomore Lily Walton hit .250 with eight kills and she recorded five blocks and three service aces. Sophomore setter Finn Millians dished out 31 assists, while senior libero Natalie Vaughn posted a team-high 13 digs.  Sophomore Adison Minor added six kills and 10 digs.

Chowan (2-4) was led by freshman Anixa Rosa-Martinez with seven kills and seven digs. 

The first set featured nine ties and five lead changes. The second set only had four ties and three lead changes, while the final set was highlighted by 11 ties and seven lead changes.

In the third set, FMU held a 21-17 advantage, but the Hawks rallied with a 7-1 spurt to go on top 24-22.  However, Francis Marion used a kill by junior Courtney Abdur-Rahim and a Hawks' attack error to knot the score at 24-24. A solo block by Walton put FMU up 25-24 and block assists by Walton and Abdur-Rahim on a Chowan attack clinched the match for the Patriots.

FMU held Chowan to a negative hitting percentage (-.047) for the entire match.

Post-match comments from FMU head coach Lauren Baufield and sophomore Lily Walton

Francis Marion Univ. def. Chowan University 25-22,25-14,26-24

Chowan University (2-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Anixa Rosa-Martinez
7-0-1; Hannah Sladick 6-3-1; Sydney Hiner 4-0-1; Chloe Putnam 2-0-2;
Ciara Ortega 1-2-1; Ann-Marie Johnson 1-0-4; Katie Houston 0-2-0;
Totals 21-7-7.0. (Assists) - Ciara Ortega 17. (Dig leaders) - Katie
Houston 17; Sydney Hiner 14

Francis Marion Univ. (7-6) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Alyssa Hansen 14-0-2;
Lily Walton 8-3-5; Adison Minor 6-1-1; Courtney Abdur-Rahim 5-0-1;
Madeline Winning 3-0-1; Finn Millians 0-1-1; Natalie Vaughn 0-1-0;
Totals 36-6-8.0. (Assists) - Finn Millians 31. (Dig leaders) - Natalie
Vaughn 13; Courtney Abdur-Rahim 11; Alyssa Hansen 11; Adison Minor 10

Site: Florence, SC (Smith University Center)
Date: 09/24/19       Attend: 178   Time: 1:17