FLORENCE, SC - Francis Marion University was within five points of a clean sweep at its own FMU Invitational Volleyball Tournament, but the Patriots fell in the fifth game of the final match on Saturday (Sept. 1) to finish the event 3-1.

Francis Marion topped Lenior-Rhyne College in the morning 30-17, 30-27, 31-29, but then lost a marathon five-game contest to Catawba College 36-38, 37-35, 30-32, 30-25, 15-10. The Patriots led 10-4 in the final game, but after a side-out Catawba’s Nikki Bozick served the final 10 points to spoil FMU’s afternoon.

The Patriots (4-4) play at NCAA Division I Charleston Southern University, Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Against Catawba, several Patriots registered career milestones. Senior Jackie Phiel recorded a career-high 28 kills and also dug out 29 balls for her fifth consecutive double-double. Junior Jessica Lombardi tallied career-highs of 21 kills and 29 digs and sophomore Krissy Mordini hit a career-high 23 kills. Junior setter Jenna Kaiser handed out a career-best 69 assists.

Phiel’s kill total was only five shy of the school record, while the team’s total of 94 kills was five short of the record set against Presbyterian College in 1997.

In the win over Lenoir-Rhyne, FMU jumped to a quick 19-2 lead in game one, and then finished the match by scoring the final nine points to win game three 31-29.

Lombardi had 12 kills, while Mordini tallied 11 kills and six service aces and Phiel recorded 11 kills and 11 digs. Kaiser and sophomore Jess O’Leary took turns setting the ball, recording 24 and 19 assists respectively.

Lombardi and Kaiser were named to the All-Tournament Team, along with Carolin Schoeneck (University of West Georgia), Melissa Powers (Catawba College), Melissa Griffith (Catawba College), Mandy Gerolstein (USC Aiken), Mayssa Bazzi  (Wayne State University), Irene Hannan (Valdosta State University), and tournament MVP Andressa Martins (University of West Georgia).