FLORENCE, S.C. – The Lander volleyball team continued its trek through the toughest part of the 2016 schedule with a 3-0 loss at Francis Marion on Tuesday night. The Patriots toped Lander 25-18, 25-21, 25-20. 

The Bearcats fall to 18-7 overall and 6-8 in the Peach Belt Conference, while Francis Marion moves to 14-10, (8-7). Lander's last four matches have come against four of the top six teams in the PBC standings. 

Khiani Kelly led the way with nine kills, while Halle Dotson registered six. Maddie Naal recorded eights kills and six digs on the evening.  Sophia Perkins finished with 10 assists, while Katie Haakie contributed 11 assists and eight digs. Kendall Korte registered a team-high 12 digs. Dotson and Reyonia Whipple both recorded a pair of block assists.

Francis Marion was led by Caroline Boone (12 kills), Kaitlyn Ziegelmaier (40 assists) and Carlie Smith (14 digs). 

A 4-0 run to end the first set gave FMU a 1-0 lead and the Patriots outlasted the Bearcats in the second set after Lander rallied from 16-8 down to tie the score at 19-19. Francis Marion held off another Bearcat rally midway through the third set to clinch the match with a 25-20 win. 

Lander travels to Montevallo on Friday night for a PBC match at 7:00 p.m.