TOCCOA — A pair of freshmen stole the show in the Piedmont College volleyball season opener as the Lady Lions won 3-0 against local rival Toccoa Falls College. Setter Emily Peters led the way with 28 assists while libero Haley Hixon recorded a team-high 14 digs and six service aces.
Peters had 28 of Piedmont's 31 assists in the match as the freshman had an impressive start to her career hitting .800 as she recorded four kills on five total attacks. Hixon had a night to remember as well in her collegiate debut at libero with six of Piedmont's 15 service aces.
Senior Taylor Cramsey led the way with eight kills while Katelyn Durmire added seven and newcomer Kaitlyn Loesel tallied six kills. Piedmont had a total of eight blocks as Peters, Cramsey and Amanda Trotter had a pair each.
Turning Point
-Piedmont rallied to score seven straight points in the first set after trailing 21-16 to take the lead 23-21 and maintained the lead to take the first set en route to taking the match in straight sets.
Standout Performances
-Hixon's six service aces ties the most since Xandy Green and Jennifer Opper both accomplished the feat once in 2014.
-Piedmont's 15 service aces marks just the third time since 2012 that the team has recorded 15 or more service aces.
-Peters' sealed her role at setter with all but three of Piedmont's assists from the match.
Inside the Box Score
-Piedmont recorded 15 service aces while only allowing the Screaming Eagles to score two.
-Cramsey made her mark across the box score with a team-high eight kills, eight digs, three aces and two blocks.
News & Notes
-Toccoa Falls has not won a set against the Lady Lions since September 17, 2011 when they Lady Lions won 3-1 against the Screaming Eagles.
Up Next
The Lions head to the Huntingdon College Jubilee where they will face some of the toughest competition of the season taking on Belhaven Friday, September 4 at 3 p.m. to begin action in the tournament. Piedmont will also face Agnes Scott, Sewanee and Talladega College.
How to Follow the Lions
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, Snapchat: @PiedmontLions and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.
