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.
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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.
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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.
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Junior middle hitter
Mo Grigsby paced the Patriots with nine kills, while sophomore Carolina Lucas had seven kills.
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Gabby Saye and Emily Johnson each registered eight kills to lead Wingate (6-0).
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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.
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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.
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#18 Wingate def. Francis Marion Univ. 27-25,25-13,25-9
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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
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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
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Site: Franklin Springs, GA (Shaw Athletic Center)
Date: 09/08/23Â Â Â Â Â Â Attend: 124Â Â Time: 1:18Â Â Â
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