DUE WEST, SC – Despite a fourth consecutive double-double by sophomore setter Kaylee Gillespie, Francis Marion University fell to the University of West Georgia 25-22, 25-23, 25-19 in the Patriots' final match at the Erskine College Volleyball Tournament, Saturday afternoon (Sept. 4).
 
Earlier in the day, FMU defeated Georgia College 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-17.
 
The Patriots (1-3) will play in the Pacer Invitational hosted by USC Aiken next weekend.  FMU will face Lander University on Friday at 11:30 a.m. and Augusta University at 4:30 p.m.
 
Gillespie registered 34 assists and 14 digs while directing the FMU offense.  In the process, she surpassed 500 career assists in only her 16th match.  Senior hitter Alyssa Hansen led Francis Marion with 10 kills, while senior middle blocker Iyanla Thigpen tallied eight kills and five blocks.  Freshman libero Zoie Larkins added 19 digs.
 
West Georgia (4-0) featured a balanced attack that saw four players record between 6-to-8 kills, while setter Autumn Mayes had 30 assists and 17 digs.
 
In the opening set, the Wolves jumped to an early 10-3 advantage and later led 22-15.  Behind the serving of fifth-year senior Kayla Arthur, FMU rallied to deadlock the score at 22-22, however UWG scored the next three points to win the game.  During the match, Arthur recorded her 800th career kill.
 
The Patriots would take a 19-14 lead in the second set after a block by Thigpen and senior Lily Walton. The margin was still five at 21-16 following a Hansen kill, but West Georgia closed the set with a 9-2 spurt.
 
A service ace by Larkins gave Francis Marion a 14-11 lead in the third set.  The Wolves then clinched the match with a 14-5 run.
 
 
West Ga. def. Francis Marion Univ. 25-22,25-23,25-19
 
West Ga. (4-0,0-0 Gulf South) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Harris, Emilee
8-0-1; White, Tierra 8-0-2; Luther, Bret 7-0-2; Frazee, Caitlin 6-0-2;
Buchanan, Kaylyn 5-0-3; Mayes, Autumn 1-0-0; Graham, Olivia 0-1-0;
Kaiser, Kelli 0-1-0; Totals 35-2-5.0. (Assists) - Mayes, Autumn 30.
(Dig leaders) - Blackmon, Sydney 19; Mayes, Autumn 17; Harris, Emilee
10
 
Francis Marion Univ. (1-3,0-0 Conference C) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Alyssa Hansen 10-0-1; Iyanla Thigpen 8-0-5; Gracie Davis 6-0-3; Kayla
Arthur 5-1-1; Lily Walton 5-0-2; Lexi Albright 2-1-0; Kaylee Gillespie
1-0-1; Keely McLain 0-1-0; Zoie Larkins 0-1-0; Totals 37-4-8.0.
(Assists) - Kaylee Gillespie 34. (Dig leaders) - Zoie Larkins 19;
Kaylee Gillespie 14; Lexi Albright 10; Naina Ivanova 9
 
Site: Due West, SC (Galloway Center)
Date: 09/04/21       Attend: 17   Time: 1:23