FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive women's volleyball team fell 3-1 to East Division leader Francis Marion on Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans drop to 9-13 overall and 7-7 in conference play, holding second in the East Division. The Patriots remain first with an 11-1 league record and 13-8 overall.

Mount Olive opened strong, taking the first set 25-23 after a 9-1 run sparked by kills from Kaitlyn Landis, Ashlyn Haynie, and Danielle Parker. The Trojans built an 18-15 lead and held on for the early advantage.

In the second set, both teams traded points before Francis Marion closed with a 4-0 run to win 25-20.

The Trojans responded in set three with an 8-2 run fueled by three service aces—two from Landis and one from Reid. Despite seven total aces in the match, UMO couldn't hold momentum as the Patriots rallied for a 25-20 win.

Mount Olive fought back in the fourth set, cutting the deficit to one after a 6-1 surge, but Francis Marion pulled away late to secure the 25-19 set and the match.

Olivia Melvin led the Trojans with 11 kills, marking her third straight match in double figures and 14th of the season. Caroline Sheaffer and Kacey Gore combined for 30 digs. Reid and Breanna Tanton combined for 34 assists.

Mount Olive travels to Wilson to face rival Barton on Wednesday at 6 p.m.