FLORENCE, SC – Despite a double-double from senior Kara Walker, Francis Marion University fell in five sets (21-25, 25-15, 25-17, 17-25, 15-12) to Georgia College, Friday evening (Sept. 20) in non-conference volleyball play.
 
The loss spoiled the Patriots' home opener.  FMU will return to the court on Saturday to host Newberry College at 2 p.m.  Newberry will play Georgia College earlier in the day at noon.  Admission is free.
 
Walker tallied 12 kills, 12 digs, and three service aces to pace FMU.  Senior middleblocker Kaytlin Smart added nine kills and four blocks, while sophomore Madilyn Gartner added seven kills and freshman Ella Curbow seven kills and five blocks.
 
Junior setter Mya Mendoza dished out 28 assists, while sophomore setter Ella Martinez added 12 helpers and 10 digs for her first career double-double. Sophomore libero Ella Quiring shared the team lead with 12 digs.
 
Junior right-side hitter Camryn Carlton paced Georgia College (4-5) with 15 kills and a .423 hitting percentage.
 
Francis Marion held off a late Bobcat rally to win a tight opening set 25-21.  Georgia College won the second and third sets while never trailing.  FMU rattled off the opening four points and never trailed in capturing the fourth set.
 
In the fifth set, the Patriots raced to a 4-1 lead and later led 7-3.  However, the Bobcats rallied to take an 8-7 advantage.  The score was tied at 9-9 and 10-10, before Georgia College took the lead for good at 11-10.