Box Score vs. Wesleyan | Box Score vs. Maryville

Maryville, TN -- The Piedmont College volleyball team came close to sweeping its opening weekend of Great South Athletic Conference play snaring a 3-0 win over Wesleyan College before dropping a tight decision to Maryville College.  The Lady Lions cruised in their opening match over Wesleyan allowing only 19 points in the entire match, but the host Scots spoiled PC's bid for two wins on the day defeating Piedmont 3-2.

Against Wesleyan, Piedmont started fast and never slowed down taking the first two sets by a 25-7 score in each.  The Lady Lions only became stronger down the stretch to claim the third and deciding set 25-5 hitting .389 as a team in the match.

Leading the way against the Pioneers was junior hitter Rachel Powell who tallied nine kills on only 18 attempts to tie Heather Stafford's season-high .444 hitting percentage.  A quartet of Lady Lions followed Powell with five kills a piece while freshman Ashton Nash tallied four set assists.

Defensive specialist Paige Eslinger continued to have an impact on the floor collecting eight digs while Flowery Branch, GA native Jessica Hollis earned eight of her own. 

After taking care of Wesleyan in their first match, the Lady Lions then turned their attention toward the host Scots of Maryville.  The two schools battled to a five set classic with Piedmont striking first 25-13 before Maryville evened things up with a 25-15 win in set number two.  After the squads traded wins over the next two sets, it was the Scots who claimed a 15-6 win in the decisive fifth set. 

Posting a double-double in the match was senior outside hitter Kalin DeMarrais whose 12 kills led the team to go along with her 15 digs.  Also making noise at the net was fellow senior Heather Stafford who collected seven kills against the Scots.

On the defensive end, sophomore Paige Eslinger fought her way to 26 digs as the defensive specialist has now posted 20 or more digs in four of her last five matches.  Freshman setter Katherine Knarr put up 16 assists while guiding the PC attack.

With the split, Piedmont moves to 8-7 on the season while starting 1-1 in GSAC play.  The squad will return to action on Tuesday, September 28 when Berry College comes to Demorest for a 7:00 battle in the Cave of the Johnny Mize Athletic Center.