Patriots split two matches at FMU Invitational

FLORENCE, SC - Sophomore Ashlee Crook powered 11 kills and junior Mallory Eggert tallied eight kills and six blocks to help lead Francis Marion University to a three-game sweep (25-21, 25-23, 25-23) of the University of Alabama in Huntsville on Friday night (Sept. 4) and thus a split of the team's two matches on the first day of the FMU Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

Earlier in the day, Francis Marion (3-3) was swept by unbeaten Lenoir-Rhyne College 25-22, 25-20, 25-13.

In the nightcap victory, Ashlyn Underhill also added eight kills and three service aces for FMU, while junior libero Kelsie Deaton dug up 19 balls. Sophomore Hallie Legg (19) and senior Jess O'Leary (18) combined to dish out 37 assists.

In the Patriots' loss to Lenoir-Rhyne, sophomore Amanda Mitchell led the way with eight kills, while Crook had six kills, seven digs, and three service aces. Deaton recorded 11 digs, while Legg and O'Leary handed out 18 and 11 assists respectively.

The tournament will conclude with six matches on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. Admission is free. FMU will play the University of Charleston (WV) at 1 p.m. and Erskine College at 7 p.m.

Francis Marion University Invitational Volleyball Tournament

Friday, Sept. 4

University of Charleston (WV) def. University of Alabama in Huntsville 26-24, 18-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-10

UNC Pembroke def. Erskine College 25-17, 25-21, 24-26, 25-27, 17-15

Lenoir-Rhyne College def. Francis Marion University 25-22, 25-20, 25-13

University of Charleston (WV) def. UNC Pembroke 25-15, 18-25, 25-20, 25-22

Lenoir-Rhyne College def. Erskine College 23-25, 25-8, 25-18, 25-17

Francis Marion University def. University of Alabama in Huntsville 25-21, 25-23, 25-23

Saturday, Sept. 5

9 am Charleston vs Lenoir-Rhyne

11 am UNCP vs Alabama-Huntsville

1:00 Francis Marion vs Charleston

3:00 Alabama-Huntsville vs Erskine

5:00 UNCP vs Lenoir-Rhyne

7:00 Francis Marion vs Erskine

Ashlee Crook