Florence, SC – The Erskine Women’s Volleyball opened their season today playing two games in the Francis Marion Invitational Tournament at the Smith University Center.  The Fleet lost the opening game to in-state rival Newberry College 3 to 1 but bounced back in the nightcap to hammer UNC-Pembroke 3 to 0.

In the first game, the Flying Fleet jumped out quickly on Newberry taking the first set 25-10.  Unfortunately Newberry rebounded to win the next three sets (25-20, 26-24, and 25-22) to win the match 3-1.  Senior middle hitter Sandra Campbell (Pilot Point, TX, Point Pilot HS) led the Fleet offensively with 13 kills with just one error while junior Larz Chabra (Mt. Pleasant, SC, Wando High School) earned a famed “double-double” from her setter position with 34 assists and 13 digs.  She also had 5 kills.  Junior libero Brooke Dodge (Duncan, SC, Byrnes High School) led the Fleet with 23 digs.

Erskine roared back in the second game, defeating UNC-Pembroke in straight sets (25-18, 25-23, and 25-18).  Campbell once again led the Fleet with 13 kills and Chabra had 34 assists along with 6 kills.  Dodge led the defensive charge with 18 digs.

The Fleet play two more games tomorrow as they take on host Francis Marion University at 9 a.m. followed by Carson-Newman College at 1:00 p.m.