NEED TO KNOW:
Match 1 Score: Averett 3, Piedmont 1
Match 2 Score: Roanoke 3, Piedmont 1
Record: Piedmont 0-2

DANVILLE, Va. - The Piedmont volleyball team opened the 2023 season in tournament action at Averett with a pair of close losses in four sets. Averett topped Piedmont 3-1 in the season opener and while the Lions held tough, Roanoke got the victory 3-1 in the second match of the day. 

Match 1: Averett 3, Piedmont 1

The Lions were in a battle quickly against Averett dropping the first set 25-23, but Piedmont evened it with a 25-20 win in the second set. 

Piedmont took an early lead with four straight points in the second set, but Averett raced ahead to lead 7-5. It was a set filled with runs as Piedmont reclaimed the lead and used five straight points to lead 18-13 late. 

Averett closed within one but Piedmont took five of the last six points of the set to close it out. 

The third set was close with a 25-19 final in favor of the Cougars before they pounced in the fourth with a 25-13 win. 

KATIE HUBBARD led Piedmont with seven kills while JESSICA SCONYERS added six. MARY-GRACE SHAW led the way with 20 digs while JIA WEATHERSBY posted six blocks. 

Match 2: Roanoke 3, Piedmont 1

The Lions struggled out of the gate against Roanoke in a 25-12 opening set, but bounced back to even the score with a 25-22 win in the second. 

Piedmont raced out to an 11-6 lead in the second set, but Roanoke fought back to pull within one. It was a tight contest throughout from that point, but the Lions never trailed again in the set. 

The Lions looked to be in good shape early in the third set but momentum shifted and the Maroons pulled ahead late for a 25-22 win. In the fourth, Piedmont was unable to keep pace as they dropped the final set 25-17. 

Several Lions posted career-bests against Roanoke with KATIE HUBBARD adding 14 kills while VANESSA MANZO had 31 assists. 

Up next, Piedmont will play another pair of matches Saturday in Danville against Hollins and Randolph. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--KATIE HUBBARD recorded a career-high 14 kills against Roanoke in the second match of the day. 
--VANESSA MANZO also had a career-high as she totaled 31 assists against Roanoke. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-- Freshman KAYLEE ASHCRAFT added 16 kills across the two matches including 10 against Roanoke. 

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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