BANNER ELK, NC - Four Patriots registered double figure kills as Francis Marion University defeated the Lees-McRae College Bobcats 3-2 (25-23, 25-21, 24-26, 21-25, 15-9) in a fierce battle in the Williams Gymnasium on Friday evening (Oct. 3).
 
By earning the victory, FMU stands at an overall record of 8-7, and remains spotless on its conference record at 6-0. LMC drops to 3-11 on the year, 3-4 in the conference. The Patriots will remain on the road as they travel to Bristol, Tenn., to face the Tornado of King University on Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
A standout performance came from junior outside hitter Madilyn Gartner, who recorded a double-double with a match-high 19 kills and 13 digs. Junior outside hitter Allison Miller added 13 kills and a career-high 20 digs, while senior middle blocker Caroline Lucas contributed 11 kills, five service aces, and four blocks. Junior right-side hitter Camryn Faggart also made an impact with 11 kills.
 
Freshman setter Aubrey Johnson handed out a career-high 52 assists and dug up 11 balls, while junior libero McKenna Wiseman matched Miller with 20 digs.
 
After a Bobcat run in the opening set, the Patriots answered with a 4-1 surge fueled by back-to-back Miller kills and points from Lucas and Gartner, cutting the deficit to 18-16. Faggart, Miller, and freshman middle blocker McKayla Stockwell later guided Francis Marion to the set victory, 25-23.
 
Francis Marion opened the second set with a 6-2 run, highlighted by kills from Gartner, Miller, and Johnson. Later, a decisive 7-0 run extended the lead to 18-9. Miller, Gartner, and Lucas continued to produce down the stretch, guiding the Patriots to a 25-21 victory.
 
FMU's 8-0 run erased a third-set deficit and lifted them into a 21-18 lead, due to kills from Miller, Gartner, and Lucas, a block by Lucas and Gartner, and a series of Bobcat errors. A kill from Stockwell slowed down LMC's groove, but ultimately resulted in a set loss 26-24.
 
Set four started off strong for FMU with a 6-1 stretch on swings from Miller, Faggart, Gartner, and Lucas. Senior setter Mya Mendoza chimed in while Gartner and Lucas were the front runners for Francis Marion. The back-and-forth battle continued until the final points where FMU was outlasted 25-21.
 
Three straight service aces from Lucas sparked FMU's momentum in the fifth set, followed by key plays from Gartner and Faggart. Miller then sealed the deal, delivering a kill and a clutch ace to secure the 15-9 set victory and a 3-2 match triumph for Francis Marion.