FLORENCE, SC –The energy was electric in the Smith University Center before Francis Marion University was bested by UNC Pembroke, 3-2 (25-15, 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 14-16) on Wednesday evening (Nov. 5). Three Patriots finished in double figures, the team garnered 64 kills alongside 86 digs, but ultimately came up short.

FMU now drops to 18-9 for their overall record and 15-2 in conference. Meanwhile, UNCP improves to 14-13 overall and 11-6 in conference play. The Patriots are back in action at home on Friday to face the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College with a start time of 6 p.m.

Francis Marion's statistical leaders were junior outside hitter Madilyn Gartner with 18 kills, and senior middle blocker Caroline Lucas and junior outside hitter Allison Miller, who each tallied 14 kills. Miller also recorded a double-double, finishing with 12 digs. Freshman setter Aubrey Johnson had the match-high in assists with 36 while senior libero Katie Floyd directed the defense with match-high 26 digs. 

The Patriots had to chip away towards the beginning of set one before bringing it within two, thanks to Lucas, Gartner, and Miller making it 12-10. Things escalated quickly for Francis Marion as they delivered 14 uninterrupted points fueled by Miller and Lucas, who had five and six kills in this set, respectively. FMU snatched the set 25-15.

Set two started off being a tighter contest prior to the 6-1 stretch made by the Patriots due to kills from Gartner and junior rightside Camryn Faggart, who finished with nine kills. Faggart, Miller, and Lucas attempted to get the ball rolling; however, the Braves regained control to claim the set, 25-22.

Lucas and Miller took initiative in set three, contributing to the 6-1 run, before the teams began to exchange points. Graduate Student middleblocker Vanessa Blake stepped up and delivered two demanding kills to keep the Patriots within reach. However, UNC Pembroke won the set with a score of 25-21.

Eight consecutive Patriot points painted the picture for the start of set four, thanks to Miller, Faggart, and Lucas. Gartner had five kills this set, and Faggart anchored FMU's efforts before the Braves tied it at 18. Consecutive blocks from freshman middleblocker McKayla Stockwell, Johnson, and Gartner pushed the Patriots ahead, while two kills from Gartner and a block by Stockwell and Faggart sealed the clutch 25-23 victory.

The momentum belonged to the Braves at the start of set five before the Patriots flipped the script and went on a 7-2 run with the help of Blake, who garnered four kills in this set. The two teams rallied back and forth until the Braves escaped with the win, 16-14.