FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – Francis Marion University gave 18th-ranked Wingate University all it could handle in the opening set, but the unbeaten Bulldogs would pull away for a 27-25, 25-13, 25-9 win, Friday afternoon (Sept. 8) on the opening day of the Lion's Den Invitational hosted by Emmanuel University.
 
Francis Marion (1-5) will return to the court on Saturday playing two matches to conclude the tournament: 10 a.m. against Shorter University and 3 p.m. against Eckerd College.
 
FMU senior setter Kaylee Gillespie handed out 25 assists to become only the fourth Patriot to surpass 2,500 career assists.  She also dug up a team-high 11 balls, her fourth double-double of the young season.
 
Junior middle hitter Mo Grigsby paced the Patriots with nine kills, while sophomore Carolina Lucas had seven kills.
 
Gabby Saye and Emily Johnson each registered eight kills to lead Wingate (6-0).
 
The opening set was tight and FMU held a late 23-22 lead following a Wingate miscue. The set was later even at 25-25, but the Bulldogs scored the final two points for the 27-25 win.  Lucas posted four kills on only five swings in the first set.
 
The Patriots took an early 2-1 advantage in the second set, but Wingate stormed back for a 25-13 victory.  The Bulldogs never trailed en route to a clinching 25-9 win in set No.3.
 
 
#18 Wingate def. Francis Marion Univ. 27-25,25-13,25-9
 
Wingate (6-0,0-0 SAC) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Saye, Gabby 8-0-2;
Johnson, Emily 8-0-2; Young, Maggie 7-0-5; Rowoldt, Amber 7-1-0;
Stacherski, Lorna 4-1-2; Mullen, Maggie 2-2-0; Morland, Sydney 2-0-2;
Jamerson, Katie 1-1-0; Totals 39-5-8.0. (Assists) - Jamerson, Katie
17; Van Heyst, Maya 13. (Dig leaders) - Mullen, Maggie 9; Stacherski,
Lorna 5
 
Francis Marion Univ. (1-5,0-0 Conference C) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Mo
Grigsby 9-0-1; Caroline Lucas 7-0-0; Kara Walker 5-0-0; Camryn Faggart
4-0-0; Kaylee Gillespie 1-1-1; Katie Floyd 0-1-0; Totals 26-2-1.0.
(Assists) - Kaylee Gillespie 25. (Dig leaders) - Kaylee Gillespie 11;
Kara Walker 8
 
Site: Franklin Springs, GA (Shaw Athletic Center)
Date: 09/08/23       Attend: 124   Time: 1:18