WINSTON-SALEM, NC - PIU volleyball played a dominate three-set match against Johnson & Wales University on Thursday night as they kicked off their season at home in the newly renovated Williams Gymnasium.

The atmosphere was intense in the Williams Gymnasium as PIU drew one of its highest attended games. PIU led in all categories but one: points, kills, aces, assists, and digs.

In the first set, Piedmont started strong with a 7-2 service run. After being tied at 18s, two kills and a service ace would capture the set for the Bruins, 25-21.

The second set was back and forth between the Wildcats and the Bruins tied at points 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, and 14. PIU stopped the back and forth play with a four-point run, finishing the set 25-18 with two kills from senior setter Chelsea Edwards.

JWU took a 5-0 led in the final set before PIU bounced back with a 7-2 run of their own. Edwards recorded two services aces during this run. Later in the match, the Bruins would widen the gap to an 18-12 lead with a six-point run from three kills by Olivia Bullard. Piedmont finished off the match with back to back kills by Virgillia Jones.

All 13 players saw action in Thursday night's game with five players hitting over .400. Bullard led the team with 17 kills on the night. Cameron Dubuc added six service aces and nine digs while Edwards tallied 39 assists.