Need to Know
Match : Piedmont 3, William Peace 2
Record: Lady Lions 16-10, 9-5 USA South
Location: Raleigh, N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Piedmont College volleyball team is heading to its first USA South Championship game after a 3-2 win over William Peace Friday in the semifinals. TATIANA PAULA led the way for Piedmont with a career-high 25 kills for the freshman. 

The Lady Lions won the opening two sets 26-24 and 25-22 as no set was decided by more than three points. The third and fourth sets went in favor of William Peace 25-23 and 25-22 forcing the fifth set.

It was evenly matched throughout as the two teams amounted 61 kills each, but the Pacers had one more kill than Piedmont in the final set. Despite that, it was the Lady Lions who came out victorious 15-12. Piedmont forced the Pacers into multiple errors in the fifth set and were able to capitalize in the end. 

Piedmont had three players in double figures in kills with Paula leading the way followed by CECE COGLIANO with 11 and ALINA ROBERTS with 10. LAINEY CHOINIERE posted 36 digs while JENNA WENDEL tallied 53 of Piedmont's 60 assists, good for fourth all-time in the Piedmont record books for assists in a five-set match. 

Turning Point
--In the fifth set, William Peace led 9-8 but Piedmont reeled off five straight points to lead 13-9 and were able to close out the contest 15-12 to advance to the championship. 

Standout Performances
--TATIANA PAULA had a career-high 25 kills in the contest accounting for over a third of Piedmont's kills in the match. 

News & Notes
--The Lady Lions are on an eight-match win streak and will play in their first USA South Championship game Saturday. 

Up Next
--Piedmont will face Meredith in the championship game Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Raleigh on Meredith's campus. 
--The Lady Lions are 4-5 all-time against Meredith with the Avenging Angels taking the last five contests. 

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, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.