MONTGOMERY, Ala. - LaGrange split its first two USA South matches of the season Saturday at Huntingdon College. The Panthers (3-13, 1-1) swept Brevard 3-0 before losing a five-set thriller to Piedmont, 3-2. LC was playing without six players due to injuries, including senior middle blocker Jazzlyn Kenner.

 

"The girls put in the work this week, in practice,  to become quicker defensively and more productive offensively," Coach Madison Machurek said. "We have been battling injuries left and right throughout preseason, which has made it extremely difficult to find a flow.

 

"The girls performed at their highest level against Piedmont in sets one and two. We prepared specific offensive tactics to break down Piedmont's defense and it showed in those first two sets. Our serve receive struggled in the third and fourth set which took our middles out of the offense. Regardless, we battled back from a six-point deficit in set four. It was truly inspiring to witness. They never stopped  believing in each other battled throughout. Win or lose, we turned heads today and proved that we are a force to be reckoned with. I can say with confidence that if we limit our small mistakes, we will be able to battle with any team in our conference." 

 

How it Happened

• The Panthers swept Brevard 25-21, 28-26, 25-18. The second set had 19 lead changes. LC trailed 24-22 to tie it. Ahniya Alexis had back-to-back kills to take the set.
• The Panthers took the first two sets against Piedmont by identical 26-24 scores. Piedmont came back to win 25-20 in the third set before tying the match with a 29-27 fourth set victory. The Lions took the fifth set 15-11 to close out the match.

Panther Standouts

• Kirsten Boyd back-to-back double-doubles. 31 assists, 11 digs against Brevard; 45 assists, 19 digs against Piedmont.
• Ariel Modeste match-high 16 kills against Piedmont. 
• Yasmin Roper Career-high 15 kills, .353 attack percentage, 6 total blocks against Piedmont; 8 kills, .350 attack percentage against Brevard.
• Bailey Moss 24 digs against Piedmont; 17 digs against Brevard.
• Leigha Reynolds double-double of 11 kills, 14 digs against Piedmont.

Up Next
The Panthers play Covenant and Agnes Scott as part of a USA South quad match in Mariotti Gym next Saturday.