FLORENCE, SC –Sophomore Gwendolyn Clarke and junior Antje Reuleke combined for 38 kills and helped Armstrong Atlantic State University rally from a two-games-to-none deficit to down Francis Marion University 25-30, 28-30, 32-30, 30-26, 15-13, Friday night (Sept. 28) in Peach Belt Conference women’s volleyball action.

Clarke registered 20 kills and seven block assists, while Reuleke tallied 18 kills and 26 digs. Setters Kara Jerden and Hannah Segebart handed out 39 and 27 assists respectively for the Pirates, who improve to 8-14 overall and 2-1 in the PBC. AASU libero Nicole Yates dug up 23 balls, as did Jerden. Allyson Ray added 14 kills and eight total blocks.

Junior Jessica Lombardi paced Francis Marion (6-15, 0-2) with a career-high 31 kills and 14 digs. Sophomore Krissy Mordini recorded 18 kills and five service aces, while Jackie Phiel added 16 kills and 12 digs. Sophomore setter Jess O’Leary dished out 56 assists in four games, before giving way to junior Jenna Kaiser (8 assists). Freshmen defensive specialist Kelsie Deaton and freshman libero Karli Koralewski had 16 and 15 digs respectively.

AASU trailed in game five 11-7, but scored eight of the match’s final nine points, including four key points served by reserve Stacia McCoy. The Pirates staved off defeat in game three by rallying from a 30-29 deficit with three consecutive points.

Francis Marion will play host to Augusta State University, Saturday at 3 p.m., while AASU travels up interstate 95 to face UNC Pembroke, also Saturday at 3 p.m.