NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 3, Wesleyan 1
Records: Piedmont, 3-11 (1-2 CCS); Wesleyan, 1-6 (1-3 CCS)
DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont volleyball broke through, taking down Wesleyan 3-1 on Wednesday night inside Cave Arena.
After being road warriors throughout September, the Lions made their long-awaited return to Demorest and picked up their CCS win in the home opener.
The Lions used a balanced offensive attack as four players tied for the team lead with seven kills. Sophomore
Erin Lemons was superb, recording a double-double with 16 assists and 15 digs.
Two-time CCS Defensive Player of the Week
Zoe Coelho delivered a new career high with 30 digs.
It was a back-and-forth match with wild momentum swings both ways. Piedmont led by a large margin in the first set, only to see the Wolves erase the big lead and tie the set at 21 apiece. However, the Lions calmly recovered by winning the final four points to jump ahead in the match 1-0.
Using the momentum to its advantage, Piedmont raced out to a fast start in the second set, winning the first eight points in a row before Wesleyan was able to win one.
The Lions never looked back, winning the set 25-8 in dominant fashion.
Unfortunately, the Wolves flipped the script in the third set, denying a straight set Piedmont win. The Lions fell behind early in the set and were unable to recover, forcing the match to a fourth.
The fourth and final set was back-and-forth in the early going until the Lions took control midway through, turning a 15-14 lead into a 20-14 lead in the blink of an eye.
Eventually, it was a kill by
Kya Perkinson that sealed the deal on Piedmont's first CCS victory of 2025.
The win also marked the first home win for new head coach
Kat Tatum.
Up next, the Lions are back at home inside Cave Arena, hosting their first CCS Tri-Match of the season. Piedmont will take on Covenant at 12 p.m. and LaGrange at 4 p.m. this Saturday, October 4.
TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont raced ahead midway through the fourth set and never looked back to lock up its first conference win.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
-
Katie Hubbard,
Kya Perkinson,
Alex Wingate and
Bailey Daughtery all tied for the team lead with seven kills.
-
Sara Bjerke tallied six kills and led the team with five block assists.
- Coelho continued her outstanding senior season, with a career-high 30 digs.
HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on
X @PiedmontLions,
Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and
Facebook.
