FLORENCE, SC – After dropping the opening game, Francis Marion University rallied to win three straight to take a 26-30, 30-22, 30-23, 30-19 non-conference win over local-rival Coker College, Wednesday (Oct. 10) in college volleyball action.

Francis Marion improves to 10-16 with its third straight win, while Coker (11-13) sees its four-match winning streak snapped.  FMU now leads the all-time series with the Cobras 44-8.

Junior hitter Jessica Lombardi led the Patriots with 20 kills and 20 digs, her team-leading 15th double-double of the season.  Freshman Kaitlin Straiter compiled a career-high 14 kills, while senior Jackie Phiel added 13 kills and 18 digs.  Sophomore setter Jess O’Leary handed out 53 assists and served three aces.

Senior Megan Haupt led Coker with 15 kills and 16 digs.  Kristin Teets tallied 14 kills, while Margaret Madison had 13 kills and seven blocks and Natalie Schembra 11 kills and 12 digs.  Setters Megan Gordon and Courtney Butrym dished out 31 and 18 assists respectively, while libero Kelsey Carlson dug up a game-high 24 balls.

Francis Marion will play host to USC Aiken in a key Peach Belt Conference match on Friday at 7 p.m., while Coker will entertain Lees-McRae College on the same evening, also at 7 p.m., in Conference Carolinas action.