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Atlanta, GA -- Following the lead of relaxed veteran Head Coach Sid Feldman, the 2010 Piedmont College volleyball team has proven to have a winning formula this season based on more than just skill at the net. That formula appears to be based on staying calm under pressure throughout the year, an approach the Lady Lions will need to keep up as they face their biggest test of the season in tomorrow night's match against the nation's #1 team in the Emory University Eagles.

"I was very happy today that the girls continued to have a loose and relaxed demeanor despite the pressure that comes with playing the #1 team in the nation," said Feldman.  "Emory is a quality opponent as indicated by their record and reputation, well coached and prepared to play.  However, our team has managed to stay relaxed under pressure all season and we're hoping to do just that tomorrow night."

Indeed Feldman's Piedmont squad has a way of keeping collected in the spotlight as evident from their recent performance in the Great South Athletic Conference Championship Tournament.  In spite of having to face the only two conference teams that handed them a loss during the regular season, the Lady Lions were able to cooly defeat the tournament's top two seeds in the final two rounds of the competition to lay claim to the program's first GSAC championship since 2007.

PC will need to rely on that same confidence to attack the potent Eagles of Emory University who are not just the top seed in this NCAA regional but are also the #1 ranked team in the nation according to the latest Bison/AVCA Division-III National Coaches Poll.  Emory is 5-0 all-time against the Lady Lions including a pair of 3-0 wins during the 2007 season that included a showdown in the NCAA tournament.

Facing their most formidable oppoenent all season in this top-ranked team, the Lady Lions also will attempt to exhibit their strengths including their attention to defensive detail and solid technical play.  However, exhibiting these strengths may be easier said than done according to Coach Feldman.

"We saw a lot of ball handling errors during practice today as we were still getting used to the feel of the game ball," said Feldman. "I believe it was something that we were getting out of our system, and it's definitely something that we don't expect to happen in tomorrow night's match."

Piedmont will face #1 Emory in an 8:00 match on Friday night in the Woodruff PE Center on the campus of Emory University to open up its NCAA Regional Touranment competition.  Fans can track the Lady Lions in their NCAA tournament opener by visiting the NCAA Regional Website where live stats and a video feed will be provided.