Florence, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell in to the Francis Marion Patriots on Saturday afternoon in a 3-0 final score.
The Warriors picked up 35 kills in the loss to the Patriots. Both Michaela Andress and Gracie Wilson had eight kills. Ellie Moore, Karson Haley and Sarah Mitchell followed as they each had six kills. Of the 31 assists, Katie Fulton led the team with 16. She went on to pick up two of the three service aces.
Southern Wesleyan collected 69 digs in the match. Senior libero Kristina Pino led the Warriors with 23 digs. Behind her, Michaela Andress had 12 digs. The Warriors blocked the ball six times with Gracie Wilson leading the team with 12.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Francis Marion 25, Southern Wesleyan 16
Set Two Final: Francis Marion 25, Southern Wesleyan 17
Set Three Final: Francis Marion 25, Southern Wesleyan 18
Records: Southern Wesleyan (8-10 / CC 5-7) Francis Marion (11-11 / CC 9-3)
How It Happened
Set One
The Patriots went on the attack early as kills by Kaytlin Smart and Camryn Faggart allowed them to take the advantage. However, Michaela Andress and Gracie Wilson blocked another attack by Francis Marion to allow Southern Wesleyan to tie the first set up at two points apiece. A kill by Caroline Lucas allowed Francis Marion to regain the lead. The Patriots would not relent as Kara Walker and Smart put down more kills. Karson Haley drilled the ball down to the court for a kill that allowed the Warriors to stay within two points of the Patriots. Francis Marion went on a six point rally to extend their lead to 17-9. Michaela Andress put down back-to-back kills, but the Patriots pushed on with kills by Lucas and Smart. Gracie Wilson and Haley went up to block an attack by Chaney Barth, but it was not enough as Francis Marion claimed the first set in a 25-16 final.
Set Two
Gracie Wilson kicked off the second set with a kill off of a set by Katie Fulton. However, the Patriots stormed onward as Camryn Faggart and Caroline Lucas each put down kills to allow them to take the lead. Ellie Moore and Sarah Mitchell laid down back-to-back kills to keep Southern Wesleyan within two points of Francis Marion. Amiyah Spann set the ball up for Michaela Andress who drilled it down for a kill. Southern Wesleyan continued to challenge Francis Marion as back-to-back kills by Gracie Wilson allowed the Warriors to take a 10-9 point lead. However, an ace by Andrea Delcher pushed the Patriots ahead. The Patriots went on six point run to extend their lead to seven points. Andress put down a couple more kills, but Francis Marion took the second set 25-17.
Set Three
Southern Wesleyan started off the third set with a service ace by Katie Fulton. The lead was short lived as Kaytlin Smart, Camryn Faggart and Chaney Barth each put down kills to give Francis Marion a 4-1 point. A kill by Karson Haley kicked off a four point run for the Warriors that allowed them to regain the lead. Caroline Lucas put down a kill, and then a kill by Mya Mendoza put the Patriots back on top. Katie Fulton set the ball up for Sarah Mitchell who put it down for a kill. Mitchell and Mikaylah Hutton went up to block another attack by the Patriots to put the Warriors within three. Gracie Wilson laid down back-to-back kills to tie the set up at thirteen points apiece. Francis Marion was not discouraged as they took a seven point lead on an ace by Kara Walker. Despite kills by Gracie Wilson and Michaela Andress, The Patriots took the final set 25-18.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will travel to Young Harris, GA on October 30 to take on the Young Harris Mountain Lions at noon. They will then travel to Franklin Springs, GA to take on the Lions of Emmanuel University. The Warriors will return to Central, SC on November 2 as they host the Erskine Flying Fleet at noon.
