FLORENCE, SC - Senior middleblocker
Caroline Lucas was on a different level as she tallied 17 kills, five digs, and two blocks to lead Francis Marion University in a 3-0 sweep over Belmont Abbey College (25-22, 25-23, 25-15) in Conference Carolinas volleyball action on Friday evening (Nov. 7).
The Patriots improve to an overall record of 19-9 and 16-2 in conference play, while the Crusaders fall to 11-15 and 7-12. FMU returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, for a Senior Day matchup against Chowan University at 1 p.m.
Lucas recorded her 17 kills on only 40 swings and posted a .375 hitting percentage. During the match is win, the Easley, S.C., native moved past Jackie Phiel and into ninth place on the FMU career kills list with 1,129, and passed Iyanla Thigpen for 15th position on the Patriot career blocks list at 294.
Alongside Lucas, key players for Francis Marion included junior outside hitter
Madilyn Gartner with 14 kills and senior setter
Mya Mendoza, who directed the offense with a match-high 40 assists – just four shy of her season best.
Defensively, senior libero
Katie Floyd and junior defensive specialist
McKenna Wiseman posted 17 and 14 digs, respectively, while junior outside hitter
Allison Miller added a baker's dozen.
FMU overcame an early 7-2 deficit in the opening set with a 6-1 spurt that knotted the match at 8-8. Belmont Abbey went back ahead 15-10 and still held a narrow 20-18 advantage late in the set. Francis Marion closed the set on a 7-2 run, including a pair of kills by Lucas, to claim the 25-22 victory.
The Patriots jumped to a quick 12-3 margin in the second set as Lucas registered five kills. The Crusaders closed to within 16-15 and later tied the score at 22-22. Two kills by Gartner and a kill by junior
Camryn Faggart accounted for the points necessary for a 25-23 win.
Francis Marion scored the opening five points of the third set and never trailed. Belmont Abbey did close to within 15-14, but a 10-1 spurt by the Patriots ended the match. Gartner recorded four kills in the final push.
