Francis Marion University Patriots Conclude Regular Season with a Win
Florence, S.C. – The Francis Marion University Patriots capped off their regular season with a convincing 3-1 victory over Barton College in a Conference Carolinas volleyball match on Tuesday evening. With this win, the Patriots improved their overall record to 16-12, while finishing second in the East Division standings with a strong conference performance of 14-4.
Key Players Shine
The standout of the night was sophomore outside hitter Chaney Barth, who delivered an impressive performance with 18 kills and 10 digs, marking her sixth double-double of the season. Barth fell just two kills short of her career high, also contributing with two service aces.
Joining Barth in the spotlight were middle blockers Kaytlin Smart and Caroline Lucas, who recorded 14 and 13 kills respectively. Together, they achieved a remarkable hitting percentage of .411. Notably, Lucas surpassed 800 career kills during this match, while also notching up three blocks to reach a career total of 200.
Strong Contributions from the Team
Junior setter Mya Mendoza directed the Patriots’ offense with a career-high of 50 assists, complemented by 10 digs. On the defensive side, senior Kara Walker led with 18 digs, while juniors Katie Floyd and Andrea Delcher contributed with 16 and 15 digs, respectively.
Match Summary
The match showcased an excellent start for the Patriots as they closed out the first set with a decisive 25-18 score, following a 9-3 scoring run. Continuing their momentum, they jumped to an early lead in the second set, winning it 25-17 without ever trailing.
Barton College responded in the third set, rallying late to secure a 25-23 victory, but Francis Marion regrouped quickly. In the fourth set, the Patriots broke a 6-6 tie by scoring four consecutive points, establishing a lead they would maintain for the duration of the match. Barth was particularly impactful in this set, contributing five of her 18 kills.
Looking Ahead
The Patriots, fresh off their successful regular season, are now gearing up for the upcoming conference tournament. The seedings and pairings for this crucial event will be announced on Wednesday night, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting postseason.
Barton College, finishing the season with a record of 7-18 and 4-13 in conference play, had senior Lily Haaga leading their offensive efforts with 15 kills and an impressive hitting percentage of .462.
As the Francis Marion University Patriots transition into the postseason, they carry with them both the momentum of their recent successes and the hope for a strong showing in the tournament.
