MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Division-leading University of Mount Olive ran off the final five points of the match to thwart a possible Francis Marion University comeback as the Trojans claimed a 25-15, 25-22, 26-24 victory, Wednesday evening (Nov. 6) in Conference Carolinas volleyball action.
 
Francis Marion, which had its 12-match winning streak snapped, drops to 14-12 overall and 12-4 in conference play.  FMU will play at Chowan University on Saturday at 2 p.m., before hosting Barton College on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the regular-season finale.
 
Junior middle blocker Caroline Lucas led the Patriots with seven kills, while sophomore Camryn Faggart added six kills and a team-high four blocks.
 
Junior setter Mya Medoza, the conference Specialist of the Week each of the past two weeks, handed out 20 assists, while junior libero Katie Floyd dug up a team-high 13 balls.
 
Ashlyn Stone paced UMO (18-7, 14-2) with 14 kills and eight digs.
 
Mount Olive scored the first nine points of the match and never trailed in winning the opening set.  The Trojans took a 4-0 advantage in the second set, but FMU slowly clawed its way back into the contest and tied the score at 21-21 following a kill by sophomore Chaney Barth.  However, UMO registered four of the next five points to capture a 25-22 win.
 
The third set featured five lead changes and eight ties.  The Patriots took a 21-12 lead after a kill by Faggart, and later led 24-21 following a kill by Lucas.  The 5-0 run by the Trojans ended the match.