AIKEN, S.C. – Powerful hitting and a strong effort from the front blockers helped lift the University of South Carolina Aiken volleyball team back to an even .500 on the season as they routed the Patriots of in-state rival Francis Marion 3-1 in Peach Belt Conference action Friday night at the Convocation Center. The Pacers claimed the first two sets of the match going 26-24 in the first and then dominating the Patriots 25-10 in the second set before Francis Marion could fight back with a 25-23 victory in the third set. But the youthful Pacers would not be denied as they fought from behind in the fourth set to claim the set and match victory 25-20.

With the win, USC Aiken finds themselves 6-6 overall and 3-2 in league action while the Patriots move to 9-5 overall and find themselves 1-2 in the PBC.

Sophomore outside and power hitter Shannon Byers (Morristown, Minn./Faribault) came excruciatingly close to tying her career high of 20 kills as she recorded 18 kills in the match, including several booming hits to off Patriot defenders and the back line, to lead all players. Senior Megan Disney (Knoxville, Tenn./Karns) tallied 10 kills of her own while junior Sue MacClary (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) chipped in a season-high seven kills.

The Pacer front row was led in blocking by Disney who had six block assists while Leah Rodgers (Longwood, Fla./Lake Mary) added four block assists to the Pacers final tally of 10 total team blocks.

Francis Marion was led in kills by Danielle Parker with 12 kills while Kelsie Deaton led all players with 21 digs in the contest. Nicole Bennett recorded a match-high 38 assists.

USC Aiken controlled every aspect of the game out-hitting the Patriots .200-.103 including holding Francis Marion to a -.069 team hitting percentage in the second set.

The Pacers will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. when they will welcome the Braves of UNC Pembroke to the Convocation Center. The match with the Braves will be part of an all-day Pacer-Palooza at USC Aiken that will feature all four fall sports, women's cross country, volleyball, men's and women's soccer, as well as two spring sports in baseball and softball at home throughout the day.