AIKEN, SC – Francis Marion University concluded its action at the Pacer Invitational Volleyball Tournament by defeating Limestone University 25-14, 25-18, 24-26, 25-18 before falling to host and unbeaten USC Aiken 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 25-15 on Saturday (Sept. 11).
 
Francis Marion (3-5) will host the FMU Invitational this coming Friday and Saturday (Sept. 17-18) starting with a 1 p.m. match-up with the University of Charleston (WV) on Friday.
 
In the victory over the Saints, junior Gracie Davis led FMU with 12 kills, while senior Alyssa Hansen tallied 11 kills and 14 digs, and sophomore Lexi Albright added four service aces and 20 digs.  Sophomore setter Kaylee Gillespie handed out 35 assists and dug up 11 balls, while freshman libero Zoie Larkins had three service aces and 23 digs.
 
The Patriots held the Saints to a .041 hitting percentage, while FMU served 14 aces as a team, including three from graduate student Naina Ivanova.
 
In the match against the 7-0 Pacers, Gillespie registered 48 assists, 11 digs, and two aces, while Larkins had a team-high 19 digs.  Senior Iyanla Thigpen led Francis Marion offensively with 14 kills and also recorded five blocks.  Davis chipped in 10 kills with senior Lily Walton adding nine kills and five blocks and Albright six kills and 14 digs.
 
 
Francis Marion Univ. def. Limestone 25-14,25-18,24-26,25-18
 
Limestone (1-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Sydney Bibby 9-0-1; Vanessa Blas
8-1-0; Josie Curran 6-0-1; Madyson Lousignont 5-0-0; Kasey Thacker
5-0-4; Calleen Soper 5-0-0; Malina Harris 1-2-0; Paige Gardella 0-2-0;
Totals 39-5-5.0. (Assists) - Paige Gardella 14; Malina Harris 14. (Dig
leaders) - Gabby Wessels 31; Bailey Carpenter 15; Malina Harris 8;
Paige Gardella 8
 
Francis Marion Univ. (3-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Gracie Davis 12-0-0;
Alyssa Hansen 11-0-2; Iyanla Thigpen 6-0-2; Lily Walton 5-0-4; Kayla
Arthur 4-0-4; Lexi Albright 3-4-0; Kaylee Gillespie 1-2-0; Keely
McLain 0-2-0; Naina Ivanova 0-3-0; Zoie Larkins 0-3-0; Totals
42-14-6.0 (Assists) - Kaylee Gillespie 35. (Dig leaders) - Zoie
Larkins 23; Lexi Albright 20; Alyssa Hansen 14; Kaylee Gillespie 11
 
Site: Aiken, S.C. (Convocation Center)
Date: 9/11/21        Attend: 183   Time: 1:55   
 
USC Aiken def. Francis Marion Univ. 25-23,25-20,21-25,25-15
 
Francis Marion Univ. (3-5) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Iyanla Thigpen
14-0-5; Gracie Davis 10-0-0; Lily Walton 9-0-5; Alyssa Hansen 6-0-0;
Lexi Albright 6-1-0; Kayla Arthur 5-1-1; Kaylee Gillespie 1-2-1; Naina
Ivanova 0-1-0; Zoie Larkins 0-1-0; Totals 51-6-6.0. (Assists) - Kaylee
Gillespie 48. (Dig leaders) - Zoie Larkins 19; Lexi Albright 14;
Alyssa Hansen 12; Kaylee Gillespie 11
 
USC Aiken (7-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Alie Smith 19-1-1; Anita
Cookey-Gam 11-0-2; Sadie McKay 10-8-0; Alisha Pitt 6-0-0; Caroline
Foster 2-1-1; Emily Lammers 2-0-0; Kari Mercer 1-1-0; Kayla Duggan
1-0-0; Lily Andrews 0-2-0; Totals 52-13-3.0. (Assists) - Caroline
Foster 42. (Dig leaders) - Kari Mercer 27; Lily Andrews 15; Alie Smith
11; Sadie McKay 10
 
Site: Aiken, S.C. (Convocation Center)
Date: 9/11/21        Attend: 183   Time: 1:52