LaGrange downed Piedmont to gain a split at the USA South tri-match Saturday in Richter Gym. The Panthers (4-14, 4-7 USA South) lost a five-set thriller to Covenant in their first match of the day.

The Panthers beat the Lady Lions 3-1 to avenge an earlier 3-0 loss. LC took the match 25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15. Journey Oden had 21 kills and a .475 kill percentage, both career highs in the match. She added 10 digs for her second double-double of the season. Bailey Moss had a career-high 25 digs, while Kirsten Boyd had seven kills, 20 assists, and 14 digs.

LC jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first set, four of the points off Piedmont attack errors, and never trailed. The Panthers led by as many as 10 points three times in the set, the last being 22-12 after a kill by Oden.

After the Lady Lions evened the match in the second set, the Panthers took a hard-fought third set to go up 2-1 in the match. The Panthers ripped off four straight points to turn a 22-20 deficit into a 24-22 lead. Oden, who had six kills in the set, closed out the set with her final kill.

The Panthers closed out the match in the fourth set. With the set tied 5-5, LC scored five straight points and never trailed again. Boyd had two service aces in the run. The Panthers' final 25-15 score matched their biggest lead of the set.

LC pushed Covenant to the limit in the first match of the day. The Scots took the hard earned win by scores of 23-25, 25-22, 25-21, 21-25, and 15-8. 

Karson Troth and Boyd each had triple double-doubles. Troth set career highs of 14 kills and 24 assists and matched a career high with 15 digs. Boyd had her third triple-double of the season with 12 kills, 23 assists, and 15 digs. Moss had 20 digs. Ariel Modeste had a match high 15 kills and a .375 kill percentage.

The Panthers play a USA South tri-match against Maryville and Brevard at Maryville next Saturday.

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