Patriots fall to Falcons on volleyball court

FLORENCE, SC – Freshman hitter Taylor Chapman pounded out 10 kills to lead the University of Montevallo to a three-game sweep (27-25, 25-23, 25-16) of Francis Marion University, Friday night (Sept. 17) in Peach Belt Conference volleyball action.

The Patriots fall to 7-3 overall and 0-1 in the PBC, while Montevallo improves to 6-4 and 2-0.

Francis Marion will host a tri-match on Saturday, playing Augusta State University in a PBC contest at 1 p.m. and Belmont Abbey College at 5 p.m.  ASU and BAC will meet at 3 p.m.

The Falcons survived one game-point serve by Francis Marion in the opening set before claiming the tight 27-25 win on a kill by Michelle Carle.  Four key serving points by Montevallo’s Jessica Guidry rallied the Falcons from a 21-19 deficit in set two to take a 25-23 victory.  In the final set, Montello led 16-12, but rattled off six straight points to take a commanding 22-12 advantage.

Freshman Riley Forester led Francis Marion with a career-high 15 kills and a .300 hitting percentage.  Freshman setter Nicole Bennett tallied 32 assists, while senior libero Kelsie Deaton had a team-high 12 digs.  Danielle Parker added nine kills and three blocks for FMU.

Junior setter Anna Garrison handed out 32 assists for Montevallo, while sophomore libero Brittany Wilson dug up a match-high 17 balls.  Virginia Clay added nine kills and three service aces.