LAURINBURG, N.C.—The Francis Marion University volleyball team used a well-balanced attack in a 3-0 (30-23, 30-18, 32-30) non-conference victory over host St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Tuesday evening (Aug. 29) in Harris Court.

The Patriots improved to 4-1 on the early season, while the Knights dropped to 2-3.

FMU broke open a 12-12 deadlocked first game with an 8-2 run and held on to take the opening game 30-23. The Patriots maintained the momentum with an impressive second game win, 30-18. Francis Marion continued its strong play taking a quick 13-5 lead in the third game, but St. Andrews battled back.

After slowly closing the gap to 29-26 and surviving a match-point attempt, the Knights rallied off four straight points to take a 30-29 advantage. However, a Francis Marion timeout killed the run and the Patriots scored three straight points to take the finale, 32-30.

FMU junior Michelle Settergren ended the match with her team-high 10th kill. Sophomore Jessica Lombardi and senior Lezlie Logan followed with nine and eight kills, respectively.

Patriot sophomore Jenna Kaiser supplied 36 assists and nine digs from her setter position, while senior libero Jessica Strader  had team-high’s of 24 digs and three aces and junior Jackie Phiel added 11 digs.

Junior Lindsey Stansbury and freshman Galina Podolsky led the Knights' offense with eight kills apiece. Stansbury also added seven digs, while junior Erin Haugen had a team-high eight digs. Senior Kim Harper dished out 33 assists.

Both teams head to Banner Elk, N.C., for the Lees-McRae College Tournament this weekend (September 2-3). Over the two days both squads will play four matches including a third meeting between SAPC and FMU on Sept. 3 at 11 a.m.