FLORENCE, SC – Graduate student middle blocker
Vanessa Blake, senior opposite hitter
Camryn Faggart, and sophomore outside hitter
Haleigh Kamer combined for 43 kills on Tuesday night (Sept. 22), as Francis Marion University claimed a critical 3-1 divisional win over rival UNC Pembroke in Conference Carolinas women's volleyball action at the Smith University Center.
With the win, the Patriots currently sit atop the Conference Carolinas East Division at a 9-4 overall record with a 5-1 mark in league play and a perfect 2-0 record in divisional action. Meanwhile, UNC Pembroke had its eight-match winning streak snapped to fall to 10-5 this season with a 5-1 mark in conference play.
Following a five-match homestand, the Patriots will hit the road for the next five contests, starting in Due West, S.C., when they face Erskine College on Friday. Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
Faggart and Blake each tallied a game-high 15 kills in victory over the Braves on Tuesday. Faggart posted a .308 hitting percentage with three blocks and three digs, while Blake tallied seven blocks and two digs while setting a new career high in kills. Kamer delivered an incredible double-double after finishing with 13 kills and 23 digs, adding one ace and two blocks. Sophomore setter
Aubrey Johnson directed the offense with 43 assists, 13 digs, two blocks, and a career-high five kills.
Defensively, Kamer led the way in digs, followed closely by senior outside hitter
Madilyn Gartner, who totaled 18 digs, two blocks, three assists, and six kills. Freshman libero
Alyssa Whiteside tallied 17 digs and three assists, while senior defensive specialist
Kayla Clayworth finished with 12 digs, two service aces, and three assists.
The Braves took an early 8-5 edge in the opening set before the Patriots countered with seven unanswered points, including a trio of kills by sophomore middle blocker
McKayla Stockwell, to take a 12-8 lead. With FMU holding a 17-14 advantage, UNCP responded with a 5-1 run to regain the lead at 19-18. The Braves tallied three-straight points late in the set to pull away with the win, 25-23.
Francis Marion dominated offensively in the second set after tallying 11 kills on a staggering .357 clip. The Patriots quickly built a 13-5 lead before the Braves scored three consecutive points to cut the deficit to 13-8. FMU mounted an impressive 12-3 run with a trio of blocks to close out the set, 25-11.
UNC Pembroke led by a 6-1 advantage before the Patriots tied the contest at 7-7, as the third set featured 11 different ties and three lead changes. Francis Marion held a 17-14 edge late in the third, but the Braves answered with a 9-2 rally to take a 23-19 lead. FMU countered with a stellar 7-1 run, including a trio of kills by Kamer, to take the set, 26-24.
The fourth set was tightly contested between these two sides following 12 ties and seven lead changes. The Braves established a 15-14 lead at the midway point of the set before Francis Marion scored seven straight to take a 21-15 advantage. UNC Pembroke rallied to tie the set at 24-24 before reaching set point at 26-25. The Patriots battled back with three consecutive points to seal the win, 28-26.
