Volleyball | 9/2/2016 7:08:00 AM

DATE: Sep. 2, 2016

Stats at a Glance (2015) PC Conf. Rank Record 18-15 -- USA South Record 9-7 3rd-D Kills Per Set 10.2 9th Assists Per Set 9.7 9th Digs Per Set  14.3 11th Blocks Per Set 1.4 8th

TIME: 4:00 pm ET
LOCATION: Atlanta, GA
FACILITY: Dorough Field House/Pinholster Court
LAST MEETING: 3-1, Transy (9/19/09@Danville, KY)
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Demorest, GA - There will be a lot of new faces on the court whent the Piedmont College volleyball team opens the 2016 season on September 2 including 1st year Head Coach Jamie McCormack and seven freshmen student-athletes. 

However, though this fall will be McCormack's first season as the leader of the program, the coach is very aware of the tradition surrounding Piedmont volleyball.

"There are just so many players that I remember during my time competing against Piedmont as a player and a coach that have laid a great foundation of success for us to follow," said McCormack. "All we are looking to do is to continue that success here in 2016 and keep going in that same direction."

Though McCormack's familiarity with the success of the Lady Lions is very apparent, many of the young players who came into the program have needed time to adjust.  With so many young contributors returning as well, Piedmont's 2016 squad is ready to be molded. 

"They've had some adjustments to make for sure, we keep the focus on the details though. We've been focusing on the basics because if we get the fundamentals right, the rest will come.  We have to create good habits so that by the time we step onto the court, the habits are there and we can play fast."

With the fundamentals being the focus, McCormack has her squad ready for the team's opening weekend which features a tough slate.  The Lady Lions face a Transylvania team which won 16 games a year ago and Keystone who posted a historic 21-7 season in 2015 as well. 

It's not just the opponents though who will make the road tough, it's the location as well.  Of Piedmont's 15 games scheduled in the month of September, only one will take place in the friendly confines of Cave Arena. 

Despite the challenges early on, McCormack hopes her team will enjoy the fruits of their labor.  

"I just really want their preseason to pay off," said McCormack. "They've worked so hard, and I want it to pay off for them because I think that's how we can make it through that first month on the road. They've worked way too hard to not come out at the end of this year with good things."

STORYLINES
--These two have only met once in Piedmont's NCAA Era (Since 2003)
--The match is the first for Piedmont Head Coach Jamie McCormack
--PC returns key pieces all over the floor including youngsters in defense and in the setting spot 

MATCH FACTS
Piedmont and Transylvania face off in the first of four contests for the Lady Lions at the Oglethorpe Invitational hosted by the Stormy Petrels in Atlanta, GA.  The Lady Lions take on the Pioneers at 4:00 pm with live stats and video available for fans unable to make it to Atlanta. Piedmont's remaining schedule in the tourney incldues an 8:00 pm match on Friday night against the host OU and two contests on Saturday, a 2:00 pm showdown with Belhaven and a 6:00 pm match with Keystone. 

SCOUTING TRANSYLVANIA
The Pioneers come into the 2016 season after an 16-10 showing last year bowing out in the HCAC Quarterfinals in a five-set thriller with Franklin.  Transy is picked 3rd in the HCAC Preseason Poll and are led by second-year Head Coach Kyle Walton.  The Pioneers are led by veterans Marissa Coutinho (Jr., Terre Haute, Ind.), Jennifer Buckman (So., Louisville, Ky.), and Darby Bourdon (So., Harrodsburg, Ky.) in the attack for 2016.  

SERIES RECORDS
Piedmont's only meeting with Transy in the NCAA Era (Since 2003) came back in 2009 when the two faced off in a neutral site match in Danville, Kentucky.  That showdown came in the Centre College Classic with the Pioneers coming out on top 3-1 despite 30 assists from Tyler Baldonado and 11 kills from Kalin DeMarrais. 

THE ROAD AHEAD
Piedmont's first month in the Jamie McCormack era will not see much time off the bus as the Lady Lions will play 14 of their 15 games in September on the road away from Cave Arena.  Included in that stretch are four straight conference games on the road to wrap up the month.  Piedmont's only home contest in September will take place on the 7th against Toccoa Falls College. 

CRAM-MING IN THE REPLACEMENTS
It's not a surprise what Piedmont will have to replace in 2016 after the graduation of TAYLOR CRAMSEY and MALLORY LEARY.  The two were Piedmont's top two hitters with Cramsey setting the season record with her 308 kills in 2015 while Leary came in 2nd on the list with 272.  PC does not return a hitter with more than 200 kills from a year ago but is led by AMANDA TROTTER who had 195 in her junior season.  

LAST TIME OUT: USA SOUTH QUARTERFINALS VS. MEREDITH (NOV. 6)
Piedmont fought back from a 2-0 deficit to even the score at 2-2 but came up just three points shy of winning and advancing. 

The Avenging Angels took the first set 25-23 before winning the second 25-20 to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Piedmont was not ready to give up, however, as they fought back to take the third set 25-22 and the fourth set 25-19. 

In the fifth set, Piedmont trailed 12-6 but came back to make it 14-12 before a service error by the Lady Lions ended the rally handing the Avenging Angels the 15-12 win and sending them forward in the tournament. 

TAYLOR CRAMSEY had another outstanding outing in her final night in the Green and Gold with 16 kills and 15 digs for a double-double. AMANDA TROTTER was second on the squad with 14 while MALLORY LEARY ended her career with 7 kills. 

NEXT UP FOR PIEDMONT
Piedmont's next contest following their weekend at the Oglethorpe tourney is the team's home opener on Wednesday night vs. Toccoa Falls College at Cave Arena. Live stats and video will be available for fans unable to attend the contest.  Admission to the evening showdown and every regular season contest at home is free of cost to the public.  

HOW TO FOLLOW THE LIONS
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.