LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall concluded the F&M Scramble on Sunday with a 3-0 loss (25-23, 25-18, 25-19) to Lebanon Valley before recording a dominant 3-0 victory (25-21, 25-13, 25-10) over Penn St.-Altoona in the second game. The split moves the Diplomats to 5-3.

F&M started well in the opener, taking an early 6-1 lead on the serve of Ellie Ezekiel. LVC responded well to take the lead at 19-16, a lead that would not be relinquished on the way to a 25-23 victory for the Dutchmen.

In the second it was Lebanon Valley with the strong start, claiming an early 10-3 lead. The Dutchmen again took the set, 25-18.

Improved hitting got the Diplomats off to a faster start in the third, carrying a 10-7 lead in the early going. However, the Dutchmen used a 7-2 run to erase the deficit and again take control, eventually winning 25-19.

Ezekiel led the way with 8 kills, followed by Rachel Umberger with seven. Lydia Budd claimed 17 assists, while Ezekiel uncorked a match-high four aces.

45 minutes later F&M was back on court to face Penn St.-Altoona, with play beginning evenly as the teams were tied 9-9. The Diplomats shook off any fatigue and took control through a 7-2 run on the serves of Cassie Garison and Allison Edelstein. F&M went on to take the first, 25-21.

F&M carried that momentum into the second and jumped out to a 9-2 lead. The Diplomats hit .308 to lead by as much as 13 and win the set, 25-13.

The onslaught continued as F&M hit .394 in a dominant third set. Alyssa Sanchez and Mary Leneweaver both logged five points on serve, and the Diplomats never looked back in winning the final frame, 25-10.

Barbara Kapustin paced a balanced attack with eight kills, supported by seven from Umberger and six from Kelsey Michenko. Edelstein posted 35 assists while Ezekiel tallied 16 digs to lead F&M.

The Diplomats return to action Wednesday by playing host to Muhlenberg in the Centennial Conference opener. That match will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Mayser Center.