Demorest, GA -- To most volleyball programs around the nation, a 20 win season would be a very good year. For the Piedmont College volleyball program, it's just another year as the 2009 campaign marked the fifth consecutive 20 win season for PC. The Lady Lions will look to make it six straight beginning with their season opener against Toccoa Falls College slated for a 7:00 start on Wednesday, September 1.

“Our team is made up of a unique group of young ladies who have very specific roles on the team and if they stay healthy and mesh, we can become a force to reckon with,” said Head Volleyball Coach Sid Feldman. “There will be no easy matches this year and that is why one hole in the 'team' will result in us not being able to achieve our goals. On the other hand, if everyone understands their role and relishes being a sister to her teammate, then victory will be ours.”

Coach Feldman begins his second season at the helm of the Piedmont volleyball program after a successful 24-9 debut year in 2009. The veteran head coach hopes to bring home the program's third GSAC title this season after coming up just one win short last season falling in the conference final to Maryville College.

In order to walk away with the conference crown, Feldman will look to rely on key returning players while mixing in some new talent as well. The Lady Lions return senior leadership this coming fall as the veteran class has helped the volleyball program to a remarkable 73-15 record over their first three years on campus. Needing only 24 digs to surpass the school mark is reining GSAC Libero of the Year JENNIFER GRANLUND who totaled 467 digs for an average of 3.89 digs per set in 2009 to lead the conference in both categories.

Taking a new spot at right side is fellow senior HEATHER STAFFORD who brings over 150 kills to the table as one of the returning leaders in both kills and kills per set. Another familiar face pairing more hitting firepower with stellar defensive play will be KALIN DEMARRAIS, a complete overall player whose 229 total kills and average of over two kills per set was good enough for a top ten rank in conference.

“I'm really excited to see where this season goes because we have so much talent and the girls' attitudes have been great,” said senior right side hitter HEATHER STAFFORD. “We've definitely had a good start through pre-season and want to get off on the right foot against Toccoa in our first game. Though Maryville has the conference title we want, every game we play is a step toward our goal of a GSAC championship.”

Helping the Lady Lions returning for another season will be a fresh batch of new faces including freshman right side hitter and Ball Ground, GA native ASHLEY FANNON. Adding firepower at the net will be fellow freshmen hitters RACHEL DAVIS out of Forsyth Central High School and DANIELLE MAFFETT who just finished her career at Heirway High School. Incoming setters ASHTON NASH and Katherine Knarr have also been called upon early in their collegiate careers to help guide the Lady Lions throughout the upcoming schedule.

Piedmont volleyball kicks off the 2010 season with a home match on Wednesday, September 1 against Toccoa Falls College with the first serve set to drop at 7:00.