FLORENCE, SC – Junior middle blocker Caroline Lucas paced Francis Marion University with nine kills and a .667 hitting percentage in a 25-13, 25-17, 25-18 sweep of UNC Pembroke on Wednesday (Oct. 30) in Conference Carolinas volleyball action.
 
The Patriots (12-11, 10-3) have won 10 straight matches, the longest streak since a 12-match run in 2021.  FMU will continue with conference action on Friday (Nov. 1) evening in a road match against King University (Tenn.) at 6 p.m.
 
Lucas also spent the most time on the serving line for FMU with 16 attempts, including one ace.
 
Senior middle blocker Kaytlin Smart followed with a .538 hitting percentage and eight kills, while sophomore Chaney Barth had eight kills and senior outside hitter Kara Walker chipped in seven kills and a game-high 19 digs.
 
Junior defensive specialist Andrea Delcher added 10 digs and three service aces, and junior setter Mya Mendoza steered the Patriot offense with 32 assists and three aces.
 
McKenna Hayes led the Braves (10-15, 7-6) with eight kills, while setter Tyler Patterson tallied 30 assists.
 
The Patriots jumped to an early 4-1 lead in the opening set after a series of attacking errors from the Braves. Francis Marion held the lead for the remainder of the set, scoring the final six points of the match with Lucas on the serving line.
 
Despite the second set starting off much closer than the first and UNC Pembroke leading twice midway through, a six-point run by the Patriots snapped a 15-15 deadlock and keyed another FMU victory.  
 
The Patriots made quick work of the third set as another six-point spurt opened a 19-11 advantage and allowed for a relatively easy finish.