FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University sophomore hitter Brittany Sehnke posted her first career double-double and the Patriots put up a game effort, but lost in three sets (26-24, 25-20, 25-20) to conference-leading Flagler College, Saturday afternoon (April 10) in Peach Belt Conference volleyball action.
 
Francis Marion (3-8, 3-8) concluded its home schedule.  The Patriots will finish the regular season with three road matches: April 13 at Augusta College, April 16 at Young Harris College, and April 17 at Lander University.
 
Sehnke, a native of Florence and a product of Wilson High School, registered 10 kills, a career-high 12 digs, and a team-leading three blocks.  Sophomore Gracie Davis added eight kills and 11 digs, while senior Kayla Arthur had six kills.
 
Freshman setter Kaylee Gillespie passed out 30 assists, dug up 10 balls, and served two aces for the Patriots, while junior libero Alexis Watts posted 13 digs.
 
Rebekah Machovec led Flagler (15-3, 13-1) with 13 kills and nine digs as the Saints captured the PBC regular-season title.  Setter Kennedy Muff dished out 25 assists, while libero Karolina Garstka dug up 14 balls.
 
The first set featured six ties and four lead changes.  An attack error by Flagler gave FMU a 24-22 advantage and a pair of set points.  However, Flagler ran off the next four points, including a set-ending service ace by Garstka, to win 26-24.
 
The Saints took the lead for good in set No.2 at 7-6.  Later a 6-0 spurt by Flagler expanded a 16-14 advantage to 22-14.  The final set included seven ties.  A kill by FMU junior middleblocker Iyanla Thigpen followed by a Flagler attacking error left the score knotted at 20-20.  The Saints responded by scoring the final five points of the match.
 
Prior to the match, Francis Marion recognized its two seniors: Courtney Abdur-Rahim and Arthur – both of whom are four-year letterwinners.

 
 
Flagler def. Francis Marion Univ. 26-24,25-20,25-20
 
Flagler (15-3,13-1 Peach Belt) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Machovec, Rebekah
13-0-2; Garcia, Logan 6-0-5; Muff, Kennedy 6-3-2; Bowrosen, Victoria
4-0-2; Taylor, Jordan 3-0-3; Glynn, Lindsay 3-0-2; Lamoreaux, Edie
0-2-0; Thompson, Sarah Kate 0-1-0; Garstka, Karolina 0-2-0; Totals
35-8-8.0. (Assists) - Muff, Kennedy 25. (Dig leaders) - Garstka,
Karolina 14; Machovec, Rebekah 9; Lamoreaux, Edie 8
 
Francis Marion Univ. (3-8,3-8 Peach Belt) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Brittany Sehnke 10-0-3; Gracie Davis 8-0-1; Kayla Arthur 6-0-0; Lily
Walton 5-1-2; Iyanla Thigpen 4-0-1; Kaylee Gillespie 1-2-0; Totals
34-3-4.0. (Assists) - Kaylee Gillespie 30. (Dig leaders) - Alexis
Watts 13; Brittany Sehnke 12; Gracie Davis 11; Kaylee Gillespie 10
 
Site: Florence, SC (Smith University Cen)
Date: 04/10/21       Attend: 86   Time: 1:36
Referees: Roque Urena (R1), Dustin Crosby (R2), Dan Jampole (L), Jamaal Brown (L)


seniors Kayla Arthur (#8) and Courtney Abdur-Rahim (#17) with head coach Lauren Baufield-Edwards