MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Senior outside hitter
Madilyn Gartner produced a season-high 17 kills on Wednesday night (Oct. 7), as the Francis Marion University women's volleyball program secured a 3-0 sweep (26-24, 25-15, 25-16) at the University of Mount Olive in Conference Carolinas divisional play.
The Patriots return to the win column and improve to 13-5 overall with a 9-2 mark in league competition. FMU continues to hold the top spot in the East Division with a perfect 4-0 record. Meanwhile, the Trojans drop to a 9-10 record in 2026 with a 5-6 mark in conference action.
Following a five-game road trip, Francis Marion returns to the Smith University Center on Friday, Oct. 9, to face Ferrum College in divisional play at 6 p.m. On Saturday (Oct. 10), the Patriots welcome King University for a league match set for 1 p.m.
Gartner led a trio of Patriots with double-digit kills after finishing with a game-high 17 on a .279 clip with five digs. Senior opposite hitter
Camryn Faggart finished with 14 kills, four digs, and one block, while sophomore outside hitter
Haleigh Kamer contributed a double-double with 10 kills, 14 digs, and two service aces. Sophomore setter
Aubrey Johnson directed the offense with 33 assists, plus eight digs, one block, and one kill.
Freshman libero
Alyssa Whiteside led the defensive effort with 16 digs, while senior defensive specialist
Kayla Clayworth recorded nine digs and two aces. The Patriots delivered seven service aces against the Trojans, with Kamer, Clayworth, and freshman setter
Ella Morstad each tallying a pair.
Mount Olive established a quick 7-4 edge in the opening set before the Patriots countered with a 6-1 rally to take a 10-8 advantage. The Trojans quickly tied the contest at 10-10 before regaining a significant 19-14 lead late in the first set. FMU responded by scoring six of the next seven points with a trio of kills by Gartner to knot the match at 20-20. Despite a late 23-21 lead by UMO, Francis Marion stole the opening set with a late 5-1 run to claim a 26-24 win.
The Patriots carried that momentum into the second set, quickly building a 9-4 lead following back-to-back kills by Kamer. Mount Olive responded with three unanswered points and remained within striking distance, trailing 16-14 at the midway point. FMU finished the second set with a 9-1 run, led by Faggart with four kills to take a 25-15 victory.
In the third set, Francis Marion took a commanding 12-6 lead in the opening portion as Gartner recorded three kills and the Patriots delivered two service aces. Mount Olive answered the three straight points to cut the deficit to 12-9, but FMU countered by scoring seven of the next eight points to hold a 19-10 advantage. Faggart and Gartner each produced two kills down the stretch to seal the sweep, 25-16.
