FLORENCE, S.C. – The Chowan Volleyball team fought tough in a straight sets loss to Francis Marion on the road in the final tune-up match before Conference Carolinas action on Tuesday evening.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 0, Francis Marion 3

RECORDS | Chowan 2-4, Francis Marion 7-6

LOCATION | Florence, S.C. (Smith University Center)

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Anixa Rosa-Martinez led the Hawks with seven kills.  Hannah Sladick posted six kills, while Sydney Hiner notched four kills.  Hiner notched 14 digs and Katie Houston led the team with 17 digs.

Ann-Marie Johnson would lead the block party with three solo blocks and an assisted block.  Chowan had seven total blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Set:

Francis Marion opened up an early 5-2 lead with the lone kill by Sydney Hiner.  Ann-Marie Johnson registered a block to put the Hawks on the board.

Chowan would rally back as the score was knotted up for most of the opening set.  Anixa Rosa-Martinez and Hannah Sladick continued the attack for the Hawks to take a 12-10 lead.

Both teams traded points late in the set, Hannah Sladick posted a service ace and a kill to even the score at 21-all.

After a FMU timeout, the Patriots registered the final four points they needed to take the set 25-22.

Second Set:

Sydney Hiner notched the opening kill of the set before the offense would stall.  Anixa Rosa-Martinez and Ciara Ortega posted a kill.  Chowan benefited from errors by the Patriots to keep the score close.

FMU went on a 10-3 run to take control of the set 20-12.  Hannah Sladick would record a kill during the stretch.  Anixa Rosa-Martinez slowed the rally by the Patriots with a kill before errors allowed FMU to take the set 25-14.

Third Set:

Chowan would lead early 9-6 in the set and forced a timeout by FMU.  Katie Houston had a couple service aces to start the set.

The Patriots rallied with a 6-1 run to force a Chowan timeout.  The Patriots would push their lead to 16-13 before Sydney Hiner notched a kill to end the run.

A kill by Anixa Rosa-Martinez and Chloe Putnam would spark a rally to even the score at 21-all and force another FMU timeout.

Anixa Rosa-Martinez registered a kill and a block by Hannah Sladick gave the Hawks a 24-22 lead.

An attack error and two blocks for the Patriots took the set and match, 26-24.

UP NEXT

Chowan hosts their first-ever Conference Carolinas match on Friday, September 27 as the Hawks host North Greenville.  First serve is at 7pm.