Logan, Lombardi Pace Francis Marion to 3-1 Win over Blue Hose
CLINTON, S.C. – The Francis Marion University volleyball team extended their winning streak to seven straight matches with their 3-1 (22-30, 30-21, 30-23, 31-29) victory over Presbyterian College on Tuesday night in Templeton Gym.
The Blue Hose came out firing as Presbyterian (7-13) jumped out to a 7-0 lead before Francis Marion called for a timeout. The Patriots used a 10-6 run to pull within 13-10 but it was not enough as PC maintained its lead en route to its 30-22 victory in the first game. The Blue Hose were led by four kills each from senior Danielle Gill (Kings Mountain, N.C.) and freshman Julie Hollrah (Glenwood, Md.).
The second game was close throughout before Francis Marion (16-4) captured the lead at 18-17 on a kill by sophomore Jessica Lombardi (Massillon, Ohio). The Patriots went on a 15-4 spurt to take game two with a 30-21 score after being down 17-15.
Francis Marion had complete control of the third game as the Patriots never trailed. Presbyterian pulled within 23-21 on a kill by junior Lauren Mason (Peachtree City, Ga.) but FMU ended the game on a 7-2 run for the 30-23 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.
For the fifth time this season, the Blue Hose found themselves playing a game beyond 30 points as Francis Marion claimed the fourth game with a score of 31-29. There were 11 tie scores and seven lead changes in game four. The Patriots received five kills each from Lombardi and senior Lezlie Logan (Cleburne, Texas).
Logan and Lombardi both finished with 16 kills to pace the Patriot offense. Lombardi also digged 16 kill attempts, while sophomore Jenna Kaiser (Broomfield, Colo.) dished out 46 assists and collected 12 digs. Junior Jackie Phiel (Amherst, Ohio) contributed 15 digs, nine kills and three service aces.
Hollrah ended the match with a team-high 15 kills for Presbyterian, while Mason added 14 and Gill chipped in a dozen. Gill recorded a double-double on the night as she also had 14 digs. Sophomore Rachel Lewis (Bloomington, Ill.) supplied 48 assists, 17 digs and four aces.
Presbyterian will look for its eighth overall and second conference win of the season as the Blue Hose travel to Mars Hill, N.C. for a South Atlantic Conference tilt against Mars Hill College on Friday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. Francis Marion will host Armstrong Atlantic State University on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. in Peach Belt Conference action.