WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Piedmont International volleyball hosted their second tri-match of the season on Friday with NC Wesleyan and Randolph College. The Bruins went 1-1, taking the first match against NC Wesleyan College before dropping their senior night match verse Randolph.

Game 1: NC Wesleyan vs. Piedmont
In the first match, Piedmont took three straight sets against the Bishops, 25-16, 25-18, 25-15.  The Bruins found success as they dominated the match at the net and on the back line. 

The front row controlled the net recording eight total blocks to the Bishops one. Lydia Horne and Cydne Moore tallied 3 blocks each, while Olivia Bullard added 2. PIU also served 10 aces in the three-set match: Mariah Robinson with 3, Cameron Dubuc and Bullard with 2.

With attacking, Piedmont hit a .255 to the Bishops .039. Bullard led the team with 9 kill as Virgillia Jones added 8 kills of her own.

Dubuc registered her 1500th career dig in the third set of the match.

Game 2: Randolph vs. Piedmont
In the final match of the day, Piedmont dropped a highly competitive contest 3-1 to Randolph College. The Bruins showed tremendous heart forcing the game to a fourth set. Senior Olivia Bullard played a big role in the Bruins' effort recording 14 kills. Virgillia Jones added 9 kills for the Bruins. The match went back and forth throughout the evening. 

PIU opened up the first set and applied pressure to the Wildcats right away. After tying up the set 18-18, Randolph would respond and be able to take the first set 25-19.

The Bruins responded to the Wildcat's 1-0 lead and took a set of their own in the second. The Bruins opened the third set with an 11-6 lead. NC Wesleyan would storm back and make it 15-15. The points would go back and forth until a service run by Kaylee Barriage.  PIU would take the set 25-21.

During this set, Olivia Bullard would also record her 1000th career kill.

The third set was back and forth from the beginning neither led by more than three at any time throughout the set. Bullard made some big plays providing 4 kills. Unfortunately, Piedmont would drop the set 25-23. 

Piedmont forced a fourth set, the pattern of many Panthers making contributions continued this time it was sophomore Virgillia Jones who recorded 4 kills in the set. Randolph would win the 4th set 28-26 in a heartbreaking defeat, 3-1.

The Bruins will hit the road this upcoming Tuesday as they take on Ferrum College at 7 PM.