FLORENCE, SC – A 9-2 run midway through the third set allowed Augusta University to capture a 3-set (25-16, 25-19, 25-22) victory over Francis Marion University, Thursday evening (March 11) in Peach Belt Conference volleyball action.
 
The Patriots (1-2, 1-2) will play their next three matches on the road, starting with Tuesday's 6 p.m. contest at UNC Pembroke.  The next home match for Francis Marion will be March 25 against Young Harris College at 6 p.m.
 
Senior Kayla Arthur and freshman Lexi Albright led FMU with nine kills apiece, while sophomore Gracie Davis had seven.  Utilizing a 6-2 line-up, setters Finn Millians (13) and Kaylee Gillespie (12) combined for 25 assists.
 
Junior libero Alexis Watts dug up a match-high 13 balls.
 
Junior Chloe Allen led the Jaguars (1-1, 1-1) with eight kills, while 6-3 sophomore Madison Malloch added seven.  Setters Kassie Till and Samantha Zittrauer each registered 11 assists.
 
Augusta scored the opening four points of the match and led through set No.1.  In contrast, the second set featured 11 ties and six lead changes.  An attack error by the Jaguars gave Francis Marion a 19-18 advantage, but Augusta responded with seven consecutive points to win 25-19.
 
The Patriots forged a 13-8 lead in set No.3 following a service ace by Gillespie.  Augusta answered with its 9-2 spurt to assume a 17-15 lead.  FMU pulled to within 19-18 after a service ace by freshman Keely McLain. Later the Patriots closed the gap to 24-22 after a kill by Albright, before Augusta registered the clinching point.

 
 
Augusta def. Francis Marion Univ. 25-16,25-19,25-22
 
Augusta (1-1,1-1 Peach Belt) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Allen, Chloe 8-1-5;
Malloch, Madison 7-0-4; Martin, Kylie 4-5-0; Ramos, Nicolette 4-0-0;
Till, Kassie 3-2-0; Frazier, Alyssa 2-0-1; Diaz-Infante , Alexi 2-0-1;
Martin, Holland 0-2-0; Barr, Kiera 0-3-0; Totals 30-13-6.0. (Assists)
- Till, Kassie 11; Zittrauer, Samantha 11. (Dig leaders) - Martin,
Holland 11; Martin, Kylie 8
 
Francis Marion Univ. (1-2,1-2 Peach Belt) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Lexi
Albright 9-0-0; Kayla Arthur 9-0-0; Gracie Davis 7-0-1; Alyssa Hansen
5-0-2; Lily Walton 3-1-2; Iyanla Thigpen 2-0-1; Keely McLain 0-1-0;
Kaylee Gillespie 0-1-0; Totals 35-3-3.0. (Assists) - Finn Millians 13;
Kaylee Gillespie 12. (Dig leaders) - Alexis Watts 13; Lexi Albright 8
 
Site: Florence, SC (Smith University Center)
Date: 03/11/21       Attend: 61   Time: 1:15
Referees: Rob Doan (1), Debbie Ormand (2), Dan Jampole (L), Thomas Brown (L)