FLORENCE----Paced by a balanced hitting attack, Lander University rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to down Francis Marion University in five games (27-30, 27-30, 30-27, 32-30, 15-5), Saturday afternoon (Oct. 13) in Peach Belt Conference volleyball action.
Lander improves to 18-6 overall and 2-2 in the PBC, while Francis Marion drops to 10-18 and 1-4.
Junior Kerri Sorensen led Lander with 20 kills, while Kay Stewart tallied 19 kills and Andrea Griffin added 17 kills and seven blocks. Senior Sara Senn registered 14 kills, 19 digs, and four service aces. Fellow senior Melissa Trippany, the PBC's all-time leader in digs, compiled 39 digs, equaling the sixth-highest match total in conference history. Freshman setter Candace LaRocca handed out 62 assists and dug up 13 balls
Three Francis Marion players posted double-doubles, led by senior Jackie Phiel with 23 kills and 20 digs. Sophomore Krissy Mordini recorded 22 kills and 14 digs, while junior hitter Jessica Lombardi had 19 kills, 28 digs, and three service aces. Sophomore setter Jess O'Leary tallied a career-high 68 assists, while freshmen Kelsie Deaton and Karli Koralewski dug up 23 and 21 balls respectively.
After FMU won the opening two games by identical 30-27 scores, Lander returned the favor in game three with a 30-27 victory. Francis Marion rallied from a 27-20 deficit in game four to take a 30-29 advantage, but Lander scored the final three points for the 32-30 win. The Lady Bearcats jumped to a quick 6-2 lead in the fifth and deciding game and were never seriously threatened.
Francis Marion will play at Armstrong Atlantic State University on Wednesday at 7 p.m., while Lander plays at Augusta State University, Friday at 7 p.m.
