WINSTON-SALEM, NC - PIU pulled out a 3-2 victory against the Panthers of Ferrum College on Thursday evening: 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 24-26, and 15-9.
The Bruins took the first two sets verse Ferrum, outhitting them .273 to .062 in the first set and .053 to -.296 in the second.
Ferrum would come back and take the next two sets, pushing the match to a fifth set. In the third set, after being tied 5-5, Piedmont would fall into a service receive rut while the Panthers ran nine points to PIU's one.
In the fourth set, Piedmont had the lead 23-19 when a side out, and service run would put Ferrum up one, 23-24. It was back and forth play, but in the end, Ferrum finished off the set with two consecutive points.
The final set and match would go to the Bruins as they pushed ahead when tied 9-9, winning the next 6 points to close out the game.
Olivia Bullard led the team with 28 kills, followed by
Mariah Robinson with seven and Virigllia Jones with 6. The Bruins recorded 11 service aces in the match. Piedmont registered a total of 74 digs with
Cameron Dubuc recording 24, Bullard with 15, and
Daylin Schweizer with 13.
PIU will hit the road on Saturday as they head up to Virginia Beach, VA, to take on Regent University at 1 PM.
