FLORENCE, SC – Sophomore setter Kaylee Gillespie registered 37 assists and nine digs for Francis Marion University as the Patriots won in Conference Carolina play on Saturday (Oct. 9) defeating Belmont Abbey College 25-16, 25-23, 25-15.
 
Francis Marion (12-8) (8-0), winners of eight straight matches, will host local rival UNC Pembroke on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the latest episode of the Battle for I-95 and a show down for first place in the East Division standings.  FMU's win streak is its longest in eight years.
 
For the second night in a row, junior Gracie Davis led the Patriots with 15 kills and a .400 hitting percentage (.424 to be exact on Saturday).  Sophomore Lexi Albright recorded 11 kills and 13 digs for her third double-double of the season, while graduate student Kayla Arthur had nine kills, two service aces, and two blocks.
 
FMU freshman libero Zoie Larkins dug up a team-high 14 balls and graduate student Naina Ivanova served four aces..
 
Sophomore Cameron Young paced the Crusaders (3-16, 3-6) with 13 kills and 11 digs.
 
Francis Marion hit a sizzling .405 in the opening set with only one attack error in 37 swings. The two squads were knotted at 10-10 and FMU held a slight 16-13 edge before finishing the set with a 9-3 run.
 
The Patriots trailed early in set No.2, but took the lead for good at 10-9 on a Belmont Abbey attack error.  The Crusaders closed to within 24-23, but another attack error provided Francis Marion with the clinching point.
 
FMU took the lead for good in the third set at 3-2 on a kill by Albright. The Patriots gradually pulled away, including scoring the final five points of the match behind the serving of Arthur.

 
 
Francis Marion Univ. def. Belmont Abbey 25-16,25-23,25-15
 
Belmont Abbey (3-16,3-6 Conference) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Young,
Cameron 13-0-1; Samaha, Mia 5-0-0; Youmans, Kate 5-0-0; McCullough,
Jenna 5-0-0; Roberts, Ellie 2-0-1; Rose, Bailey 2-0-0; Teter, Bailey
2-0-0; Faber, Caitlyn 2-0-0; Hamilton, Lauren 1-0-0; Wilson, Sarah
1-0-0; Rawlins, Paige 0-3-0; Totals 38-3-1.0. (Assists) - Rawlins,
Paige 32. (Dig leaders) - Ryan, Hailey 15; Young, Cameron 11; Faber,
Caitlyn 8; Rawlins, Paige 8
 
Francis Marion Univ. (12-8,8-0 Conference) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Gracie Davis 15-0-0; Lexi Albright 11-1-1; Kayla Arthur 9-2-2; Lily
Walton 5-0-1; Madeline Winning 1-0-1; Naina Ivanova 0-4-0; Kaylee
Gillespie 0-0-1; Totals 41-7-3.0. (Assists) - Kaylee Gillespie 37.
(Dig leaders) - Zoie Larkins 14; Lexi Albright 13; Kaylee Gillespie 9
 
Site: Florence, SC (Smith University Cen)
Date: 10/09/21       Attend: 74   Time: 1:37