Need to Know
Score Match 1: Piedmont 0, #21 Mary Washington 3
Score Match 2: Piedmont 0, Transylvania 3
Records: PC 8-3, Mary Washington 10-1, Transy 7-4
Location: Atlanta, Georgia - Woodruff P.E. Center
Atlanta, GA - The Piedmont College volleyball team could not overcome struggles at the net in a pair of losses at the Emory Invitational falling by a 3-0 scoreline to both the University of Mary Washington and Transylvania University.
In Piedmont's first match of the day, the Lady Lions faced a tall order taking on the nation's 21st ranked team in the University of Mary Washington. The Eagles took each set by a 25-18 scoreline in the 3-0 win handing Piedmont just its third loss of the first ten games of the year.
Piedmont could not get much going offensively with seven kills in each set though the second set saw both teams slow down on the attack.
In the third, Piedmont looked to rally from a two-set deficit starting off hot 5-0 and holding a 15-14 lead late before four straight points for Mary Wash helped the ranked foe en route to the sweep of PC.
The afternoon match was a rematch of Piedmont's season opener as the Lady Lions again took on the Pioneers of Transylvania. However, the result was the same for PC with the Pioneers taking the match in three.
PC did push the issue in the second set after dropping the first 25-18 as the Lady Lions forced a 25-25 tie in the second set pushing it to a tiebreak. PC came within one point of ending it at 26-25, but Transy would battle back to force a 27-27 deadlock before winning two straight to take the second set.
From that point, Transy would go on to take the third 25-21 for the 3-0 win over PC.
Turning Point
--Leading 15-14 in the third, the Lady Lions saw Mary Washington surge with four straight points taking the lead for good in the 3-0 result.
--A pair of attack errors late in the second against Transy allowed the Pioneers to win 29-27 in a battle claiming a 2-set lead PC could not recover from.
Standout Performances
--Freshman
CECE COGLIANO was Piedmont's leader at the net in the opener with six kills and a .211 attack percentage vs. Mary Washington.
--
HALEY HIXON posted 14 digs in the first match of the day, a game-high for both teams...Hixon added 12 digs in the encore.
--Against Transylvania,
KATELYN DURMIRE and
KAITLYN LOESEL each tallied five kills to lead Piedmont.
Inside the Box Score
--Cogliano also was strong defensively with four blocks vs. Mary Washington which led both teams in the contest.
--Piedmont's offense struggled most of the day as PC only tallied 17 assists in the second match of the day.
News & Notes
--Mary Washington came into the contest with Piedmont featuring an 8-1 overall record with its only loss having come the night before vs. #9 Emory.
Up Next
The Lady Lions open conference play next weekend with four USA South matches on the road at LaGrange, Georgia. Piedmont opens the slate on Saturday, September 24 with contests against Mary Baldwin University and Ferrum College. Sunday features match-ups with NC Wesleyan College and Meredith College. All four contests will take place at LaGrange College as part of a USA South quad-match.
How to Follow
To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont College Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, Snapchat: @PiedmontLions and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.
