NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 2, Covenant 3
Record: Piedmont 10-19, 6-8 USA South

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Piedmont College volleyball team dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 match against Covenant in USA South Tournament play to end the 2019 campaign. The Lady Lions (10-19, 6-8 USA South) nearly stole the fifth set after being down 12-8, but the Scots (11-17) survived to advance in the tournament. 

Piedmont took the first set from the Scots 25-18 using an 8-0 run midway through to distance themselves and secure the first set. The Scots wasted no time coming back in the second to tie the match at 1-1 with a 27-25 win.

The Lady Lions nearly took a 2-0 lead in the match as they led 24-22 and again 25-24, but three-straight points for the Scots tied the match at 1-1. The third set was just as tight with Covenant taking a lead with a 25-23 win. 

Piedmont fought back in the fourth set for a dominant 25-14 win to force the fifth. In the fifth, the Lady Lions nearly completed the comeback to defeat the Scots for the first time this season, but came up just short. 

Three of the five sets were decided by two points including the deciding set. LAINEY CHOINIERE had 34 digs in her final contest while fellow senior ERICA BALKCUM tallied three aces. 

TURNING POINT:
--The Scots led 12-8 in the fifth but the Lady Lions fought back to lead 14-13. Covenant took the final two points after the fifth set was tied at 15 winning the match off an attack error and a ball handling error. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--ALINA ROBERTS recorded 18 kills to end her junior season marking her second highest total of the year.

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.