NEED TO KNOW:
Match 1 Score: Piedmont 3, Columbia 0
Match 2 Score: Truett McConnell 3, Piedmont 0
Record: Piedmont, 1-9
CLEVELAND, Ga. - Piedmont volleyball claimed its first win of the 2025 season with a sweep of Columbia (S.C.) College to highlight its doubleheader in Cleveland, Georgia Saturday afternoon.
The Lions put together a complete team performance in dominating the Koalas in the team's first match of the day before falling in a true road match at Truett McConnell to split the doubleheader.
Match 1: Piedmont 3, Columbia 0
The Lions left no doubt in a dominant performance over Columbia to begin the day.
Piedmont controlled all three sets, winning 25-15, 25-19 and 25-21 to close out the sweep.
Sophomore
Sara Bjerke was a star at the net, leading the team with seven kills and totaling three block assists.
On the defensive side, senior
Zoe Coelho tied a career high with 23 digs, which she would later breeze past in match two of the day.
Senior leader
Katie Hubbard delivered six kills including the game-sealing swing to put the exclamation point on the victory.
The win marked the first career head coaching win at Piedmont for first year head coach
Kat Tatum.
Match 2: Truett McConnell 3, Piedmont 0
Although the Lions fell to the Bears for the second time in the young season, Piedmont put up a tough battle in all three sets, losing by scores of 25-21, 25-22 and then forcing extra points in the third set but falling 27-25.
As mentioned, Coelho was rock solid defensively, accruing a new career-high 26 digs.
Hubbard added six kills for the second straight match and was one of three Lions to reach double digits in kills with 10.
Bjerke brought her kill total for the day to double digits with five more iin match two, giving her 12 for the day.
Freshman
Lauren Caricato paced the team with a pair of service aces.
Up next, the Lions will begin CCS Conference play next weekend with a tri-match in Maryville, Tennessee against the host Scots and the Belhaven Blazers.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Both Bjerke and Hubbard tied for the team lead, with 12 kills apiece over the two matches.
- Coelho continued her strong senior campaign, with 49 total digs across the two matches, matching and then setting a new career high.
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
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