AIKEN, SC – Despite a 15-kill performance from junior Madilyn Gartner, the Francis Marion University women's volleyball program dropped a 3-1 decision against Carson-Newman in its opening match at the USCA Invitational on Friday afternoon.

The Patriots (1-4) fall in the opening match to begin their second in-season tournament of 2025. FMU will play two scheduled games on Saturday, with a rematch set versus the host Pacers (1 p.m.) before facing Augusta (5 p.m.).

Carson-Newman continues its stellar start to the season with a perfect 6-0 record while dropping only two sets in that stretch.

Gartner led the Patriots with 15 kills, one block, and two digs over four sets played. Fellow junior Allison Miller contributed nine kills, three service aces, and a season-high 20 digs in the loss. Senior Caroline Lucas finished with six kills on a .353 hitting percentage while adding three blocks and five digs. Sophomore Ella Curbow registered five kills on a .308 clip with two blocks. Senior Mya Mendoza guided the offense with 20 assists and nine digs, while freshman Aubrey Johnson recorded 10 assists, two aces, and four digs.

Miller paced the defensive effort with 20 digs against the Eagles. Senior Katie Floyd finished with 13 digs and redshirt junior Kayla Clayworth added 12 digs.

The Eagles took the opening set of the match after recording 20 kills on a .302 hitting percentage. Francis Marion established an early 5-1 advantage in the first set before maintaining its lead at 8-5 following a kill by Curbow. Carson-Newman rallied by scoring five of the next six points to take the lead before the sides tied ten different times down the stretch. At 19-19, the Eagles claimed the set with a closing 6-2 run to win by a 25-21 margin.

In the second set, the Patriots establish a significant 13-4 lead after capitalizing on eight attacking errors by their opponent. The Eagles managed to narrow the deficit to 16-8, but FMU answered with four unanswered points, including a kill from junior Camryn Faggart. The sides exchanged the final 11 points of the set, as the Patriots secured a 25-14 victory.

Carson-Newman quickly took a 5-0 advantage in the third set, forcing an early timeout for Francis Marion. The Patriots responded with an 11-3 rally behind four kills by Gartner to grab an 11-8 edge. FMU maintained their lead at 19-15 before the Eagles mounted an 8-1 run to pull ahead 23-20. Francis Marion closed the gap to 24-23, but a kill by Carson-Newman sealed the third-set comeback, 25-23.

In the fourth set, the Eagles jumped in front by 10-4 behind eight kills and two service aces. Trailing 14-8, Francis Marion cut the deficit to 15-11 following a pair of kills by Lucas. The Patriots were unable to close the gap down the stretch as the Eagles captured a 25-16 win.