SAVANNAH, GA. – Francis Marion University lost a pair of matches on the opening day of the AASU/Chatham Orthopaedics Pirate Volleyball Classic, Friday in Savannah, Ga.

FMU opened tournament play by dropping a 30-20, 30-23, 30-18 decision to Florida Gulf Coast University (7-1).  The Eagles were a participant in last year's NCAA Division II national tournament, and are currently among the other teams receiving votes in the Top 25 poll.<

The Patriots then lost 30-19, 30-21, 28-30, 30-23 to Eckerd College (5-2).  Francis Marion fell to 7-4 on the season with the defeats.

In the opener, senior Kelly Feber recorded nine kills, while junior libero Jessica Strader had 16 digs and two service aces and junior setter Melissa Hennessy handed out 27 assists.  Against Eckerd, junior Lezlie Logan led the Patriots with 15 kills, while sophomore setter Brittany Helgeson dished out 31 assists and Strader dug out 24 balls.

Matches will continue on Saturday, with Francis Marion facing Rollins College at 1 p.m. and Florida Tech at 5 p.m.