FMU captured a pair of 3-0 wins over Converse College and Chowan University on Sept. 8 at the FMU Invitational Volleyball Tournament to hand first-year head coach Lauren Baufield her first collegiate coaching victories.

FMU improves to 2-4.

Saturday’s portion of the FMU Invitational was cancelled in consideration of approaching Hurricane Irma.

Lenee’ Blot, sophomore middeblocker, led FMU in the 25-14, 25-21, 25-23 victory over Converse with 10 kills and four blocks. Senior Shelbi Meek added nine kills, while junior Georgia Garrison had seven.

FMU junior setter Carrie McGinnis handed out 29 assists, while sophomore libero Natalie Vaughn dug up a match-high 17 balls.

The Patriots never trailed in either of the first two sets. Back-to-back kills by Meek allowed FMU to snap a late 23-23 deadlock in the third set.

Senior hitter Erika Hartings came off the FMU bench to register a match-high 12 kills in a 25-20, 25-19, 25-22 win over Chowan. Freshman Cortney Bowen posted a career-high nine kills on only 11 swings for a .818 hitting percentage.

McGinnis dished out 37 assists, while Vaughn and Meek recorded 18 and 14 digs respectively.

FMU’s second match featured 25 ties and 13 lead changes.

The next home contest for the Patriots will be Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. against Southern Wesleyan University.