SPARTANBURG, SC – A late fourth-set run helped visiting Francis Marion University level the match at two sets apiece, but the Patriots fell short in the fifth set to Converse University, losing 17-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-27, 15-11 Friday night (Oct. 21) in Conference Carolinas play.
 
Francis Marion drops to 12-10 overall and 7-6 in conference play, after the lone season match-up against Converse (7-16, 4-11). 
 
The Patriots will finish their weekend road trip on Saturday (Oct. 22) when they take on Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., at 2 p.m.
 
Outside hitter Lexi Albright led the Patriots with 17 kills, while outside hitter Katie Kemp and middle blocker Caroline Lucas tallied 12 kills each. Setter Kaylee Gillespie recorded 42 assists, while Katie Floyd led the team with 19 digs.
 
Combined with their dig totals, Albright (13), Kemp (14), and Gillespie (12) all registered double-doubles. Lucas and Albright led the FMU defense with three blocks apiece.
 
Anna Rabon led the Valkyries with 12 kills and 20 digs. 
 
Two Valkyrie errors and a kill by Lucas helped Francis Marion create separation midway through the first set, ultimately providing a spark to win the set on a 7-2 run. Converse sought revenge in the following sets, ending set No. 2 with a 13-5 run and never trailing in the third set. 
 
Two lead changes led to the Valkyries building a 16-10 advantage in set No.4, before the Patriots stormed back with a 13-7 run to tie the game at 23 apiece. Francis Marion was able to win 27-25 and keep their chances alive. 
 
Francis Marion and Converse traded points in the fifth set before an attack error by the Valkyries gave the Patriots an 8-7 advantage while switching sides. With the set tied at 10-10 a timeout by Converse helped change momentum, outscoring Francis Marion 5-1 to defend home court. 
 
 
Converse def. Francis Marion Univ. 17-25,25-15,25-18,25-27,15-11
 
Francis Marion Univ. (12-10,7-6 Conference) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Lexi
Albright 17-0-3; Katie Kemp 12-0-1; Caroline Lucas 12-1-3; Lily Walton
5-0-0; Beyonce Andrews 3-0-4; Kaylee Gillespie 2-1-2; Meghan
Scharpenberg 0-1-0; Katie Floyd 0-1-0; Totals 51-4-7.0. (Assists) -
Kaylee Gillespie 42. (Dig leaders) - Katie Floyd 19; Zoie Larkins 16;
Katie Kemp 14; Lexi Albright 13; Kaylee Gillespie 12
 
Converse (7-16,4-11 Conference) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Fitz, Evelyn
12-1-0; Rabon, Anna 12-5-0; Finkley, Jasmine 12-0-3; Carpenter, Megan
10-0-2; Schmucker, Mackenzie 3-1-0; Garbade, AC 2-0-2; Ducote,
Savannah 1-0-0; Mount, Maddie 1-0-3; Day, Mackenzie 0-2-0; Totals
53-9-6.0. (Assists) - Ducote, Savannah 26; Schmucker, Mackenzie 14.
(Dig leaders) - Rabon, Anna 20; Day, Mackenzie 19; Fitz, Evelyn 15;
Ducote, Savannah 14
 
Site: Spartanburg, SC (Tom & Tracy Hannah G)
Date: 10/21/22       Attend: 100   Time: 2:20