FLORENCE, S.C. – Seniors Jessica Bartlett and Kelly Feber and sophomore Jackie Phiel combined for 34 kills to lead Francis Marion University to a 30-17, 30-28, 30-28 non-conference win over local-rival Coker College, Tuesday evening (Sept. 6) in women’s volleyball action.

FMU improves to 7-2, while Coker drops to 1-7.

Bartlett recorded 13 kills and hit .458, while Feber and Phiel tallied 11 and 10 kills respectively.  Junior setter Melissa Hennessy played the opening two games and led FMU with 26 assists.  Junior libero Jessica Strader compiled 13 digs.

Sophomore hitter Megan Haupt led Coker with 14 kills, while Margaret Madison and Andrea Manuel chipped in 11 and 10 kills respectively.  Sophomore setter Courtney Butrym handed out 35 assists for the Cobras while also digging 10 balls.  Cobra libero Kelsey Carlson had a team-high 15 digs.

Despite outhitting the Patriots .283 to .246, Coker suffered at the service line, compiling 11 errors and only two aces.  Francis Marion tallied 12 service aces, including four by Hartsville native Rachael Matthews.

Coker took early leads in all three games, but the Patriots rallied each time.  Bartlett ended each of the last two games with kills.

FMU now owns 42 wins against Coker in 50 all-time meetings.

Francis Marion will play in the AASU/Chatham Orthopaedic Classic this Friday and Saturday in Savannah, Ga., while Coker will open CVAC play on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when the Cobras host Mount Olive.