ATLANTA, Ga. – In the second day of opening weekend action, the Piedmont volleyball team battled against Greensboro in a 3-1 loss before falling to #9 Emory 3-0 to end the day.
Match one: Greensboro 3, Piedmont 1
Piedmont was slow out of the gate in the first match of the day allowing Greensboro to jump out to a 25-9 win in the first set, but the Lions settled in and forced the Pride into a four-set battle.
Greensboro took the second set to lead 2-0, but the Lions roared back in the third with a convincing 25-16 win to take a set. In the fourth, the Lions led early, but the Pride were able to take the final set of the match 25-20.
Piedmont posted its highest kill total in a set this season in the third set with 13 kills as Greensboro won that overall stat count 46-33.
Greensboro was especially skilled on the serve with 20 service aces in the contest to Piedmont’s nine.
Katie Hubbard once again led the Lions with eight kills while both Bryn White and Jessica Sconyers added seven. Vanessa Manzo led the team with 26 assists while newcomer Natalie Adams-Mullis added a team-high 24 digs.
Match two: #9 Emory 3, Piedmont 0
The ninth-ranked Emory Eagles were dominant against the Lions holding Piedmont to no more than nine points in any set, winning in straight sets. The Eagles silenced Piedmont 25-9, 25-4 and 25-7.
The Eagles posted 37 kills and 18 aces while Piedmont was unable to post a positive attack percentage, with no more than three kills in any set.
Emory has not dropped a set so far this season and posts a 3-0 record.
Up next, Piedmont will compete in the Berry Tournament on Friday, September 13.
TURNING POINT:
–The Lions were up 16-11 in the fourth set, but a late rally by the Pride led them to the victory.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
—Katie Hubbard and Jessica Sconyers posted 10 kills on the day.
