FLORENCE, S.C. – The King University women's volleyball played another top team from the Conference Carolinas East Division, Francis Marion University on Saturday. Francis Marion was solid in all facets of the game, defeating the Tornado 3-0.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: UNC Pembroke 3, King 1 (25-20, 25-13, 25-11)
LOCATION: Smith University Center; Florence, S.C.
RECORDS: King 15-13, 10-7 Conference Carolinas; Francis Marion 18-10, 14-2 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
- The Patriots jumped out to a 5-1 lead before King came back with three straight points.
- The score remained tight until a Francis Marion 4-0 run gave the Patriots a 17-13 lead.
- Julie Ward started a run of four straight Tornado points with a kill.
- Paula La Mendola recorded an ace on the run that pulled King within 20-19.
- However, Francis Marion scored five of the final six points to take the set 25-20.
Second Set
- Francis Marion got off to a hot start again, opening up a 5-1 lead and extending that to 8-2.
- King tried to hang close with the Patriots, but it wasn't enough as Francis Marion scored six of the final seven points to take the set 25-13.
Third Set
- The Patriots jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the early going and extended that to 9-3.
- Francis Marion used a pair of 3-0 spurts to open up a 16-5 lead.
- King couldn't mount a comeback as the Patriots took the set 25-11 and the match 3-0.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Ward led King with six kills and 10 digs.
- Georgia Davis handed out eight assists and added six digs.
- Gabri Puertas accounted for 11 digs.
FOR THE FOES
- Lexi Albright led Francis Marion with 14 kills and eight digs.
- Iyanla Thigpen added 13 kills.
- Kaylee Gillespie handed out 34 assists and added 11 digs.
- Naina Ivanova led the defense with 12 digs while Peyton Holley added 11 digs.
UP NEXT
- King closes the regular season on Wednesday night at Belmont Abbey College. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from Belmont, N.C.
- Francis Marion closes the regular season on Wednesday at UNC Pembroke.
