Volleyball Defeats Francis Marion for First 2014 Victory

FLORENCE, S.C.- The Mars Hill volleyball team capped the FMU Invitational on a winning note with a 3-0 defeat of Francis Marion for their first win of the 2014 season.

Mary Kate Griffin led the Lions with 11 kills and posted five digs. Hannah Wilson had a match-high 19 digs with Christen Nicholson adding 14 digs. Regan Macomson contributed five kills and hit a match-high .444.

Alexzandra Reed had 13 kills and 13 digs for a double-double while Jessica Amador posted 17 kills to lead Francis Marion.

The Lions jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the first set before the Patriots charged back to cut the Lion lead to 13-11. Francis Marion tied the set at 16 before a Patriot attack error, a Lauren Hochstetler service ace and a pair of Griffin kills gave Mars Hill a 20-16 advantage. Francis Marion crept to within three, 20-17, before Mars Hill picked up a 25-20 victory.

The Lions and Patriots struggled to gain separation for much of the second set with three ties and one lead change. With the score knotted at 18, Mars Hill went on a 7-2 run to close out the set, aided by three Griffin kills and a Rebecca Butler kill.

Mars Hill led from start to finish in the third set to secure the match. The Lions took an early 5-2 lead before Francis Marion tied the set at 5, with Mars Hill going on a 12-3 run to take a 17-8 lead. Francis Marion didn't go quietly as the Patriots cut the Lion lead to 18-15. Mars Hill answered with a Griffin kill before the Patriots scored four of the next six points to pull within two, 21-19. A service error gave the visitors a 22-19 lead before Francis Marion pulled to within a point on consecutive Chiquita Rivers kills. Mars Hill closed out the match with a Hochstetler kill.

Mars Hill returns to action on Friday night against Columbus State at 7 p.m. in the Columbus State Invitational.