CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern University (3-3) rallied from two games down to defeat Francis Marion University in five games (25-30, 25-30, 30-23, 30-28, 15-13), Tuesday night (Sept. 4) in the CSU Fieldhouse.

Junior Jessica Lombardi led Francis Marion (4-5) with 17 kills and 14 digs, while Krissy Mordini and Michelle Settergren added 15 and 12 kills respectively.  Junior setter Jenna Kaiser compiled 52 assists and 16 digs.

FMU will play at the AASU/Chatham Orthopaedic Classic in Savannah, Ga., on Friday and Saturday.

Sophomore Nichole Diller and freshman Amanda Hill led the offensive charge for the Lady Bucs, tallying 15 kills each. 

On defensive, five CSU players reached double figures in digs, led by Sasan's 15. Hill added 12 while freshman Emily Libertowski, sophomore Ashlee Kadatz and senior Renae Popovich each contributed 10.

In the first two games, Francis Marion withstood every CSU barrage. The Lady Bucs kept game one close, tying it at 25-25 before the Patriots scored the next five points to take the early match lead. After CSU took the early lead in game two, Francis Marion took a 5-4 lead and didn't relinquish it en route to a 2-0 advantage in the match.

It looked like the Patriots had the Lady Bucs on the ropes in game three, leading 20-18 but CSU responded with a four-point run to take the lead and win the game to make it 2-1.

Game four was back-and-forth until the very end, with Francis Marion seemingly having the upper hand with a 28-27 lead and the serve. But the Lady Bucs took advantage of their turn on offense as Sasan set Kadatz for one of her 11 kills to even the game. Two points later, Libertowski recorded a service ace to even the match a 2-2.

In the fifth and final game, neither team led by more than three points as the contest was closely fought down to the last point. Francis Marion held a slim 8-7 lead as the teams switched sides, but the squads traded advantages before working to a 13-13 tie. Libertowski's second service ace of the night gave CSU the lead and the win was clinched on a Patriot attack error.

FMU defeated the Lady Bucs last season in Florence.