Francis Marion spikes Knights in three

LAURINBURG, N.C.-Francis Marion University sophomore outside hitter Amanda Mitchell recorded 12 kills and a sizzling .440 hitting percentage to lead Francis Marion University to a three-game sweep (25-18, 25-17, 25-15) of St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Thursday evening (Sept. 10) in non-conference women's volleyball action.

The Patriots, who move over .500 on the season at 5-4, compiled a .319 team hitting percentage against the Lady Knights, who dropped their fifth straight match and stumble to 5-5. 

The Patriots open Peach Belt Conference play on Sept. 20 with a road match at PBC newcomer University of Montevallo.

Mitchell had her 12 kills with only one error on 25 swings. Junior Mallory Eggert and sophomore Ashlyn Underhill both spiked eight kills, while Mitchell and Eggert both had three blocks.

Patriot sophomore Hallie Legg set up the Patriots offense with 21 assists, while senior Jess O'Leary helped out with 12 assists. Junior Kelsie Deaton chipped in with 14 digs, while freshman Casey Whitehead and Legg both tallied two service aces.

St. Andrews scored the opening point of the match, but Francis Marion responded and built a 10-4 lead with an early surge. The Patriots led by as many as 10 in the first set and coasted to the seven-point win. FMU once again took an early advantage in the middle set, but the Knights rallied back to tie the score at 14-14. The Patriots responded with the next four points and never looked back in the eight-point win. Francis Marion kept the momentum after grabbing the two-set lead by hitting an impressive .407 in the third frame en route to a 10-point win to complete the sweep.  Whitehead served up an ace that landed just inside the end line to finish off the match.

Freshman Kelly Stine posted her first collegiate double-double for St. Andrews with 12 assists and a career-high 11 digs.  Sophomore Heather Bolwerk had a team-high five kills for St. Andrews. Senior Galina Podolsky was held to a season-low four kills, and the Knights managed only a .042 hitting percentage for the contest.  Defensively, senior Courtney McDonald had a match-high 15 digs for the Knights.