AIKEN, SC - Senior Kayla Arthur registered seven kills, but Francis Marion University fell in three-sets (25-22, 25-16, 25-17) to USC Aiken on Tuesday (March 30) in Peach Belt Conference volleyball action.
 
Francis Marion (3-5, 3-5) will return to action on Tuesday, April 6, at 6 p.m. when they host UNC Pembroke for the latest installment of the Battle of I-95.
 
Junior libero Alexis Watts led the Patriots with 16 digs, while freshman setter Kaylee Gillespie dished out 25 assists.  Junior middleblocker Lily Walton added six kills on only 13 swings.
 
Alie Smith led the Pacers (6-3, 6-3) with 18 kills and five service aces, while Caroline Foster tallied 37 assists.
 
In a tightly contested opening set that featured six lead changes and eight ties, USC Aiken used a 5-0 spurt to break a 13-13 tie and capture a 25-22 win. In contrast, the second set featured only four ties. The Patriots kept within reach before the Pacers ripped off four straight points to take a 21-13 lead. USCA took the final three points to cap off a 25-16 win in set two.
 
In the final set, FMU led 16-14 thanks to a kill by Arthur. However, the Pacers tallied 11 of the final 12 points en route to the clinching win.
 
For the latest news and updates regarding Francis Marion volleyball, follow the Patriots on Twitter at @FMUSports, on Facebook at FMUSports, and Instagram at @FMUSports or check out information online at www.fmupatriots.com. 
 
 
USC Aiken def. Francis Marion Univ. 25-22,25-16,25-17
 
Francis Marion Univ. (3-5) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kayla Arthur 7-0-0;
Lily Walton 6-1-1; Lexi Albright 5-0-0; Iyanla Thigpen 4-0-2; Alyssa
Hansen 3-0-2; Kaylee Gillespie 2-1-1; Gracie Davis 2-0-0; Courtney
Abdur-Rahim 0-1-0; Totals 29-3-4.0. (Assists) - Kaylee Gillespie 25.
(Dig leaders) - Alexis Watts 16; Lexi Albright 14
 
USC Aiken (6-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Alie Smith 18-5-1; Kaitlyn
Rodriguez 10-0-1; Sydney Bresee 6-0-2; Anita Cookey-Gam 4-0-3;
Caroline Foster 3-1-0; Alisha Pitt 2-0-4; Kari Mercer 1-1-0; Kayla
Duggan 0-1-0; Emily Duggan 0-2-0; Totals 44-10-6.0. (Assists) -
Caroline Foster 37. (Dig leaders) - Kari Mercer 24; Emily Duggan 10;
Caroline Foster 8
 
Site: Aiken, S.C. (Convocation Center)
Date: Mar 30, 2021   Attend: 45   Time: 1:15