The Patriots hosted the Flagler Saints in the university’s annual Dig Pink volleyball matchup on Oct. 23.

After ve sets, Flagler earned the victory over the Patriots in Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play 25- 19, 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15- 11.

Senior Alexzandra Reed and her teammate junior Carlie Smith led the effort against the Saints with a combined 31 kills. Sophomore Shelbi Meek led the team in the dig category, nishing the night with 32.

After multiple Patriot mistakes, Flagler took the victory in the rst set 25- 19; however, in the second set, the Patriots jumped to a quick 8-3 lead. The ball ew back and forth, and Flagler freshman Shea Hamilton scored one over the net to stop the FMU run.

After a Flagler attempt to gain the lead, the game was halted by a call deemed questionable by Flagler coach Matt Affolder. The umpire had to stop the game and issued him a warning. In the third set, Affolder received a red card, which resulted in his being benched for the remainder of the game.

Junior Caroline Boone scored the set point to even the match up at 1-1. The Patriots led the third set early, only to watch the Saints come marching in and knot the game up at 22. FMU slowed the comeback and narrowly escaped 25-23.

FMU senior computational physics major Alex McIntosh and junior Geoffrey Starling described the situation as intense and fun.

“I enjoyed all the scrambling,” McIntosh said. “The scrambling was fun tonight.”

In the fourth, set the lead changed hands three times. The nal tie came with the game at 20 each. Flagler scored points two before an FMU timeout and then nished the set with a 25-22 victory.

In the fifth and final set, Flagler scored an early 6-0 lead nishing the game 15- 11.

Reed said she was proud of her team. “I think we played well,” Reed said. “We could’ve played better, but sometimes you get in ruts, and the other team gets ahold of you and us takes it.”