Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell in their home opener against the Francis Marion Patriots on Friday evening in a 3-0 final score.
The Warriors recorded 26 kills in the match. Michaela Andress led the team with eight kills with both Emily Ellis and Gracie Wilson following with six. Senior Ashley Sexton had 10 assists. Of the 47 digs, Andress led the team with 14. Gracie Wilson had four of the six blocks.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Francis Marion 25, Southern Wesleyan 16
Set Two Final: Francis Marion 25, Southern Wesleyan 16
Set Three Final: Francis Marion 25, Southern Wesleyan 16
Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-8 / CC 0-3) Francis Marion (6-6 / CC 2-0)
How It Happened
Set One
The Patriots attacked quickly with a kill by Kara Walker and an ace by Kaylee Gillespie. Southern Wesleyan got on the board on a kill by Ellie Moore. Francis Marion distanced themselves further on a kill by Madilyn Gartner. Kills by Emily Ellis allowed the Warriors to come to 12-4 behind the Patriots. Blocks by Gracie Wilson and Michaela Andress put the Warriors within seven. However, Mo Grigsby attacked the net to allow the Patriots to extend their lead to 20-13. Francis Marion went on to win the set in a 25-16 final.
Set Two
Southern Wesleyan took the first point of the second set on a kill by Gracie Wilson. However, Francis Marion countered with a kill by Mo Grigsby to tie the set up. Kills by Emily Ellis and Ellie Moore allowed the Warriors to keep the set tied up. Blocks by Gracie Wilson and Emma Ronaldson allowed the Warriors to take a two point lead. The Patriots countered with kills by Madilyn Gartner, Grigsby and Camryn Faggart to put them back on top, but an assisted block by Michaela Andress and Trinity Eichman allowed the Warriors to stay within two points of the opposing Patriots. Aces by Caroline Lucas extended Francis Marion's lead. The Patriots went on to win the second set in a 25-16 final.
Set Three
A kill by Caroline Lucas allowed the Patriots to take the first point of the final set of the match. However, kills by Michaela Andress and Gracie Wilson tied the set up. The tie was short lived as a kill by Madilyn Gartner put the Patriots back on top. Francis Marion did not relent as they extended their lead to seven points on a kill by Kaylee Gillespie. The Warriors challenged back with kills by Michaela Andress, Kristina Pino and Gracie Wilson. However, the Patriots went on to win the set in a 25-16 final.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will host the UNC Pembroke Braves on Saturday, September 23 at 2 pm. They will remain at home on September 26 as they host the Emmanuel Lions at 7 pm. The Warriors will travel on September 29 and 30 to take on the Chowan Hawks and the Barton Bulldogs.
