FLORENCE, S.C. – The Newberry College volleyball team (3-5) concluded the Francis Marion Tournament with a split, defeating UNC Pembroke (3-0) after falling to Francis Marion (3-2) at the Smith University Center.

Match 1: Francis Marion 3, Newberry 2

Newberry once again found themselves in a five set thriller, but unfortunately came up short against host Francis Marion (6-2), 3-2 (25-13, 21-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-12).

Logan Hayward had her third double-double in a row, finishing with 16 kills and 18 digs. Andie Meredith and Toni-Anne Whitlow had 11 kills apiece. Natalie Willis had 41 assists and Kensley Jordan notched 26 digs.

The Patriots took control early in set one and went on to win by a score of 25-13. Newberry answered back quickly in set two, taking a 13-9 lead. Newberry maintained control throughout the rest of the set, and Meredith smashed the ball home to give the Wolves a 25-21 set two win.

The Wolves tied set three at 7-7. FMU managed to pull away and won the third set, 25-19. Newberry led in set four 18-17 and used a 7-1 run to win by a score of 25-19. The fifth set featured five ties and four lead changes. Newberry led 10-8 and tied the set at 11-11. The Patriots gutted out a fifth set win 15-12 to win the match.

Match 2: Newberry 3, UNC Pembroke 0

The Wolves returned to their winning ways in the last match of the FMU Tournament, sweeping UNC Pembroke (1-9), 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-19).

Whitlow had a season-high 16 kills to lead Newberry. Willis finished with 36 assists and nine digs. Hayward and Madison Darby-McClure notched eight kills apiece.

Newberry dominated the first set, leading 10-4. The Wolves led the rest of the way and Hayward’s service ace gave the Wolves a first set win, 25-20. The Wolves had a .351 hitting percentage in the first set.

The second set was a back and forth battle. The set was tied at 22-22 before Whitlow notched one of her 16 kills to give Newberry the 25-23 set win. In the third set, The Wolves used a 10-5 spurt to lead 22-17. Newberry held off UNC Pembroke to win the third set 25-19 and sweep the match 3-0.

Newberry hosts in-state rival Anderson (4-4) next Tuesday to open South Atlantic Conference play. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.