FLORENCE, SC – Middleblocker Caroline Lucas continued her strong play with 15 kills and a .355 hitting percentage to help carry Francis Marion University to a 3-1 win (25-14, 15-25, 28-26, 25-10) over Chowan University, Saturday evening (Nov. 5) in a second-round match of the 2022 Conference Carolinas Volleyball Tournament.
 
Francis Marion (16-11) advances to the tournament quarterfinals to play North Greenville University, Friday at 7:30 p.m. at UNC Pembroke.  The semifinals and finals will also be hosted by UNCP on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
 
Outside hitter Katie Kemp followed Lucas with 11 kills, while Kayla Clayworth added eight and Kalee Peter and Lily Walton seven apiece.
 
FMU setter Kaylee Gillespie registered her 12th double-double of the season with 43 assists and 13 digs, while also serving three aces.  Libero Katie Floyd led the Patriot defense with 14 digs, while Lucas and Walton each posted a team-high four blocks.
 
Senior Anixa Rosa-Martinez led Chowan with 12 kills and 12 digs as the Hawks end their season 10-20.
 
Francis Marion never trailed in the opening set while crusing to the relatively easy win.  However, the Hawks turned the tables on the Patriots with a 10-point win in set No.2. 
 
The third set featured 15 ties and four lead changes.  The Patriots fought off a pair of set points before reserve middleblocker Beyonce Andrews came off the bench and was responsible for the final two points of the 28-26 win with a pair of kills off sets from Gillespie.
 
Francis Marion never trailed in the fourth set.  FMU snapped a 1-1 deadlock with a 5-0 spurt.  Chowan kept to within 12-7, but the Patriots responded with eight consecutive points en route to the clinching 25-10 victory.


 
Francis Marion Univ. def. Chowan 25-14,15-25,28-26,25-10
 
Chowan (10-20,6-11 Conferenc) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Rosa-Martinez,
Anixa 12-1-1; Hall, Madison 8-0-1; Middleton, Ellie 8-1-0; Baskin, Nia
5-0-3; Putnam, Chloe 4-0-1; Powers, Nyah 4-0-1; Woolson, Alexa 1-2-0;
Prince, Hadley 0-3-0; Totals 42-7-4.0. (Assists) - Woolson, Alexa 23;
Tucker, Morgan 16. (Dig leaders) - Prince, Hadley 30; Rosa-Martinez,
Anixa 12; Middleton, Ellie 8
 
Francis Marion Univ. (16-11,10-7 Conferenc) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Caroline Lucas 15-0-4; Katie Kemp 11-0-0; Kayla Clayworth 8-1-0; Kalee
Peter 7-0-2; Lily Walton 7-0-4; Beyonce Andrews 4-0-0; Kaylee
Gillespie 3-3-1; Keely Mclain 0-1-0; Zoie Larkins 0-1-0; Meghan
Scharpenberg 0-1-0; Totals 55-7-6.0. (Assists) - Kaylee Gillespie 43.
(Dig leaders) - Katie Floyd 14; Kaylee Gillespie 13; Meghan
Scharpenberg 10; Kayla Clayworth 10; Zoie Larkins 9
 
Site: Florence, SC (Smith University Cen)
Date: 11/05/22       Attend: 78   Time: 1:51