Francis Marion University Athletics

FMU:  3-year returning starter....CSC Academic All-District Team 2022....Conference Carolinas Fall Academic All-Conference Team 2022, 2021....Earned Bachelor of Science degree in psychology (magna cum laude) in May (2022) and is working towards MBA degree....Veteran presence....Career totals:  103 matches, 570 kills, .230 hitting percentage, 290 blocks....Played in every match during the 2021 NCAA Tournament season....Conference Carolinas rankings: 10th in blocks per set and 18th in hitting percentage....Led team in blocks....PBC Team of Academic Distinction 2020....Started all 14 matches in covid-shortened 2020 season....Ranked 10th in Peach Belt Conference for hitting (.246)....Led team in total blocks (35) and blocks per set (0.71)....Played in 31 matches and started 30 in 2019.....3 matches with double figure kills....PBC rankings: 6th in total blocks (98) and blocks per set (0.88), 7th in hitting percentage (.255), 13th in service aces (31) and service aces per set (0.28)....Transfer from North Carolina A&T State University, where she played her freshman season....Fortunate to have her join the program....Has a physical and dominating presence on the court, as well as an on-court personality that is intimidating.....Has great skills in the front court, especially with her blocking, and can see where the ball is going before it happens.....With the training she has been exposed to already, she understands the level of training it takes to succeed.....Will arrive with the ability to make an impact in our gym immediately, and push her teammates to compete at their best....Chi Alpha Sigma national college athlete honor society....Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award 2020, 2021, 2022....Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll 2021....FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll 2019 (fall), 2020 (spring, fall) , 2021 (spring, fall), 2022 (spring), 2023 (spring)....Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll 2022.

NC A&T:  As a freshman, played in all 26 matches, including 25 starts, for an Aggies’ squad that went 14-12 and reached the MEAC Tournament championship match.....Led her squad in blocks with 65 (0.7/set), and added 112 kills (1.3/set)....Was second on the team with 29 service aces, and averaged 2.05 points per set with a .206 attack percentage.

PERSONAL: 

• Born Lily Michelle Walton in Charlotte, NC
• A graduate of Charlotte Christian School, where she played under the direction of coach Sam Franklin
• 4-year letter winner
• Registered more than 300 combined kills and nearly 100 blocks over her junior and senior seasons
• Two-time second-team All-CISAA selection
• Recorded 153 service aces as a senior
• Played her club volleyball for Carolina Union Volleyball
• Four-year honor roll student

PERSONAL FAVORITIES:

• As a child what you wanted to be when you grew up: Fashion Designer 
• Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
• Favorite Athlete:  Christian McCaffrey
• Favorite Sports Team:  Carolina Panthers
• Favorite Movie or TV Show:   Criminal Minds
• Favorite Food:  Mac n' Cheese
• Favorite Vacation Spot:  St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
• Favorite Musical Artist: Zach Bryan 
• Favorite Thing About FMU:  The athletic community 
• Favorite Off-Field/court Activity:  Hanging out with the volleyball team 
• Goals for Upcoming Season:  Win the Conference 
• Why you first chose your sport: My dad played volleyball his entire life, so naturally I wanted to follow after him
• Biggest mental challenge in your sport: Becoming comfortable in uncomfortable situations
• Interesting Notes:  I attended the same high school as Steph Curry
• Brush With Greatness:  Making it to the NCAA tournament last season