Pirates outlast Francis Marion in five sets

FLORENCE, SC – Freshman outside hitter Jessica Santaniello pounded out 18 kills and dug up 20 balls to help lead Armstrong Atlantic State University past Francis Marion University in five sets 3-2 (25-22, 14-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-8), Friday night (Nov. 5) in Peach Belt Conference volleyball action.

The loss spoiled Senior Night for the Patriots, who fall to 15-14 overall and 4-9 in the Peach Belt.  Francis Marion will conclude its regular-season schedule by playing host to Flagler College on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Freshman Riley Forester paced FMU with 16 kills and a .438 attack percentage, while sophomore Liz Drewry recorded 10 kills and 17 assists.  Junior Hallie Legg dished out 24 assists, while senior libero Kelsie Deaton had a match-high 33 digs.

The Patriots’ other senior, middle blocker Mallory Eggert had six kills, 11 digs, and seven blocks to move into 10th place on the all-time PBC blocks list with 407.

Following Santaniello for Armstrong Atlantic State (18-12, 7-6) was Torrie Bevolo with 17 kills, while Gwen Clark had 12 kills, Amanda Jones 11 kills and seven blocks, and Brittany Wolf nine kills and seven blocks. Freshman setter Megan Pando handed out 61 assists for the Pirates.

Francis Marion rallied from a 10-5 deficit in set four to lead 21-17.  However, AASU went back ahead 22-21, but the Patriots again rallied to win 25-23 and force a fifth set.  In that final game, AASU scored six straight points to pull away to a 10-3 advantage en route to the 15-8 victory.