FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University volleyball team fell 25-20, 25-21, 19-25, 25-17 in an out-of-conference match-up against Newberry College on Saturday (Sept. 21) afternoon.
 
The Patriots open conference play on Wednesday (Sept. 25) against Barton College. The first serve is set for 6 p.m. in Wilson, N.C.
 
FMU senior outside hitter Kara Walker recorded her fourth double-double of the season, and second in as many matches, with a career-high equaling 18 kills and 13 digs.  Sophomore outside hitter Madilyn Gartner also registered a double-double with 10 kills and 16 digs.  

Junior setter Mya Mendoza had a game high of 46 assists, while junior libero Katie Floyd registered 19 digs.
 
With three blocks, freshman middle blocker Ella Curbow paced Francis Marion defensively at the net, while senior middle blocker Kaytlin Smart chipped in an additional two blocks to go along with 12 kills and a .313 hitting percentage.
 
Francis Marion threatened to take Newberry to a fifth set as they won the third set and continued to keep the game tight throughout the fourth set. The Wolves had several runs late in the game that kept the Patriots trailing and unable to retake the lead.
 
Anna Schneider led Newberry (3-5) with 13 kills and Kate Brown totaled 23 digs.