DUE WEST, S.C. – The Francis Marion University volleyball team swept Erskine College in three sets on Saturday (Oct. 7) afternoon by scores of 25-21, 25-19, 27-25.
 
Francis Marion improves to 10-9 overall and 6-1 in Conference Carolinas play.  The Patriots will play next on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at USC Aiken.
 
Freshman outside hitter Madilyn Gartner led the Patriots once again, posting 13 kills against the Flying Fleet and picking up seven digs and one block.
 
Gartner was followed by junior outside hitter Kara Walker who produced 12 kills and five digs.
 
Senior setter Kaylee Gillespie registered 37 assists for the day and recorded her 3,000th career assist – only the third Patriot to reach that plateau. She also led the Patriots with three service aces.
 
Katie Floyd, sophomore libero, dished out 19 digs.
 
The Patriots began set one with a first ball kill from sophomore Caroline Lucas. Gillespie shared a moment with head coach Lauren Baufield-Edwards after recording her 3,000th assist before guiding Francis Marion in their claiming of set one. With the game in a stalemate at 15-15, FMU took the lead with a massive stuff block by middle blocker Mo Grigsby. Momentum quickly shifted in the Patriots' favor as they went on a four-point run and brought set one within three points of closing. Francis Marion entered set two in good spirits having just taken set one with a four-point cushion.
 
Grigsby started set two with a huge kill just behind the ten-foot line and Gillespie followed right behind with one of her three service aces. The Flying Fleet continued to push back, but was unable to hold on as hitters Walker, Gartner, and Grigsby continued to pound away at the defense. FMU had an eight-point lead halfway through set two, blocks from Lucas and junior Kaitlyn Smart keeping energy high. A final kill from Walker finished set two at a score of 25-19.
 
Despite breezing through set one and two with ease, Erskine fought back in set three hoping to extend the game another set. Although being in a four-point deficit, the Flying Fleet climbed back to even the score at 17-17 and attempted to exchange the lead, but was quickly denied by Gartner. The Patriots took set three with a final score of 27-25 to complete the sweep. 
 
 
Francis Marion Univ. def. Erskine 25-21,25-19,27-25
 
Francis Marion Univ. (10-9,6-1 Conference) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
Madilyn Gartner 13-1-1; Kara Walker 12-0-0; Mo Grigsby 11-0-2;
Caroline Lucas 8-1-1; Camryn Faggart 2-0-0; Kaylee Gillespie 1-3-1;
Ella Quiring 1-0-0; Kaytlin Smart 0-0-2; Totals 48-5-4.0. (Assists) -
Kaylee Gillespie 37. (Dig leaders) - Katie Floyd 19; Kaylee Gillespie 8
 
Erskine (2-16,2-6 Conference) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Taylor, Ryleigh
12-0-0; Yohe, Rebecca 9-0-1; Angell, Ali 5-0-0; Stiltner, Kimmy 4-0-0;
Mykins, Lena 2-1-0; Spangler, Sally 2-0-0; Beyerle, Brianna 1-0-0;
Froemming, Izzy 1-0-0; DeWalt, Meghan 0-1-0; Casey, Astyn 0-1-0;
Thees, Megan 0-1-0; Totals 36-4-1.0. (Assists) - Mykins, Lena 27. (Dig
leaders) - Thees, Megan 9; Casey, Astyn 6
 
Site: Due West, SC (Galloway Center)
Date: 10/07/23       Attend: 63   Time: 1:27