The LaGrange College Volleyball Team (4-13) found themselves on the losing end of a conference tri-match Saturday (Oct. 5), as they were edged by host Piedmont University (2-10) and Covenant College (9-10) by final scores of 3-1 and 3-0, respectively.

Match One Details
LC had firm control early in the first set, leading Piedmont all the way up until the midway point of the opening stanza. The Lions kept pace, however, and eventually leap-frogged the visiting Panthers, jumping out to a 15-13 lead in the process. LaGrange was able to respond with a 6-3 run to regain the lead at 19-18 late in the set. Unfortunately, Piedmont found a deadly rhythm, rattling off five in a row to draw within winning position at 23-19. The Panthers' late rally attempt ultimately came up short as PU took the first set 25-21 and a 1-0 lead in the match.

It was safe to say that both teams put together one of the most entertaining sets of the entire afternoon in the second set, which featured six lead changes and 12 tied scorelines. Tied 20-20 late in the second frame, the Lions finished things off with a five-point burst to win the set 25-20, stunning the Panthers who now found themselves in a 0-2 deficit in the match.

LC kicked it into high gear in the third set, leading by as much as five points as Zentrina Choice led the way with four kills (15 total on the day). Piedmont nearly stormed back late in the set, coming within three point to force the win-by-two rule, but could not overcome the late deficit as LaGrange brought themselves within two wins of taking the match victory. 

It seemed as if the Panthers were well on their way to forcing a fifth set, leading 18-9 late in the fourth. What transpired next was one of the most improbable comebacks of the entire season, as Piedmont put together a 16-5 run to win the set 25-23, edging a highly favored LaGrange squad 3-1.

Match Two Details
It was clear that the result of the first match had rattled the Panthers a little bit, as they fell behind 8-2 to Covenant early in the first set. They eventually tied things up at eight apiece, even gaining the lead at 14-11 midway through the set. Despite a high-quality effort to outlast the Scots, they were unable to outpace their opponents as CC took the first set 25-21 and the 1-0 lead in the match.

The second set was nothing short of forgettable for LC, as Covenant cranked off runs of 11-4 and 14-7 to win the second set 25-11, leading the match 2-0.

With the match on the line, the Panthers showed tremendous heart and grit as they jumped out to a 9-6 lead early in the third set, revealing no intention of going out without a fight. Unfortunately, the Scots were well up to the task, fending off the young LaGrange team to take the final set 25-20 and the 3-0 match victory. 

Top Panther Performers
Julia Damico put it all on the line in the first match, registering 21 digs for the Panthers (26 overall).

Claire Titus had a very solid showing at the net-front, with 14 kills on the day for the freshman MH.

Next Match
The Panthers will be back in action when they take on the Middle Georgia State University Knights in Cochran, Ga on Wednesday (Oct. 9). Click here for links to stream the match and live stats.