WINGATE, NC – Despite winning the opening game, Francis Marion University fell to Wingate University 25-22, 25-27, 21-25, 15-25, Tuesday evening (Sept. 9) in volleyball action at Cuddy Arena on the Wingate campus.

With the Southeast Region victory, Wingate improves to 6-1 overall, while Francis Marion slips to 6-4 overall. The Patriots visit nearby rival Coker College on Tuesday (Sept. 16) at 7 p.m.

For Francis Marion, freshman outside hitter Ashlee Crook had a season-high 19 kills, while senior middle blocker Jessica Lombardi had 13 kills and 12 digs.  FMU senior setter Jenna Kaiser supported Lombardi’s double-double effort with 46 assists and 15 digs. Four Francis Marion players had double-figure digs as the Patriots recorded 74 on the night.

For the host Bulldogs, sophomore middle blocker Stormi Gale recorded her third double-double of the young season with 18 kills and 13 digs. The 2007 South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year added three blocks to her ledger. Wingate sophomore outside hitter Lauren Billo contributed 10 kills for the hosts.  Freshman setter Liz Willis dished out 37 assists and notched four kills, while Maggie Malone had 14 digs and junior defensive specialist Brittany Horner added 12 digs.

Wingate hit only .100 in game one (11 kills, seven errors, 40 total attacks) as the Patriots took a hard-fought 25-22 victory. Neither team could pull away until FMU scored the last three points of the set to take the win. A kill by Patriot sophomore middle blocker Mallory Eggert gave the visitors the lead for good at 23-22. Francis Marion benefited from two Wingate errors to collect the final two points and the first-set win.

A kill by Crook put Francis Marion up 16-11 in set number two. Wingate’s home crowd helped the Bulldogs rally, as the hosts tied the set at 20-20 on a Gale kill. The two teams traded points until kills by senior Kathryn Reddick and Gale sealed the deal for the Bulldogs.

In set number three, Francis Marion led 12-7 on a Lombardi kill. Wingate put together a 6-1 flurry to tie the contest at 13-13 thanks to a Gale kill. Willis got into the act, converting a kill to give the Bulldogs the lead for good at 19-18.

Wingate bolted to a 12-5 lead in the fourth set and never looked back. A service ace by junior defensive specialist Chelsea Cancelliere gave the Bulldogs a 15-6 advantage. Francis Marion would get no closer than seven points down the stretch. Wingate hit .370 (12 kills, two errors, 27 total attacks) in the fourth set.