Volleyball
The volleyball team kicked off the week with a 3-0 win over Agnes Scott on Wednesday, Oct. 18. The Lions also honored their seven seniors prior to the win.
Seniors Reagan Mercado, Mary-Grace Shaw, Brooklyn Gunn, Alaina McDonald, Destiny Deetz, Taylor Herrmann and Jenna Ash have combined for over 1,205 points during their time at Piedmont.
The Lions smashed the first two sets, winning 25-13 and 25-12. They were able to seal away the third set with a 25-22 win, securing a successful senior day.
On Oct. 21, the Lions traveled to Covenant College to play a tri-match against the LaGrange Panthers and the Covenant Scots. The Lions beat the Panthers in the first three sets, almost doubling the Panthers in kills 41-22.
“The win felt really reassuring for us, especially before a big game against Covenant, and it really helped dictate how we were going to perform the rest of the day,” said sophomore key performer Katie Hubbard. Hubbard led the team with 11 kills against LaGrange and was second on the team with 9 kills against Covenant.
Unfortunately, the Lions fell to Covenant in four sets after winning the first set 25-21. The Scots have dominated the conference, having only lost three sets in conference play, one of which was Saturday’s loss to the Lions.
“We feel really confident going into playoffs, especially with how well we performed against a difficult team like Covenant,” said Hubbard, with optimistic thoughts despite the loss.
The Lions will play Oglethorpe in Cave Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. for their last home game of the 2023 season.
—Paige Kluba
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer faced Belhaven University Saturday in their final regular season conference game of the year, in a thrilling battle where they came from behind to win 3-2.“That was absolutely one of the best games that I’ve ever been a part of,” said junior captain Jason Aussin. “It brought the team together. Coach got super emotional, so hopefully that brings the energy into this next game. We’re going to need it.”
After the Lions found themselves down 2-0 at halftime, they rallied with three different goal scorers to win the game in the last three minutes. Aussin started the comeback with a goal from the spot in the 63rd minute. Senior Brady Puckett evened the score two minutes later, and after a back and forth final 25 minutes, freshman Delroy Mattis sealed the win with 2:17 left to play.
Sophomore goalkeeper Bobby Wood kept the Lions in it, recording seven saves, including a diving effort to push the ball off the post in the final minute of the game. Sophomore standout Colin Vogel recorded an assist in the game, helping him earn his second Collegiate Conference of the South Player of the Week award.
Aussin said: “I don’t think we’ve lived up to our potential yet. I think we’re getting better and better with each game. Hopefully the Lions show out and just bring some energy into the team, and carry us further in playoffs.”
With this victory, the Lions finished 3rd in the CCS and will host the quarterfinals versus Maryville College this Wednesday, with the time TBD.
—Chloe Spradlin
Men’s Golf
In sunny Sandestin, Florida the Piedmont University men’s golf team concluded a three-day event where they placed 23rd overall out of 25 teams, with many of the top teams in the nation competing
“It’s a good learning experience” says senior Josh Hebrink reigning national champion. “It was great to go out there and compete against the best because it sets a nice benchmark to see where we were as a team.”
Hebrink led the Lions across the three-day stretch where he carded a(n) 80, 75, 72, good enough to have him finish T-88 overall in the event. Cam Lucas, a Junior also finished T-88 and the Lions filled out the remainder of their line-up with two DNF’s.
The men’s golf team will have a short turnaround as they head to Rome, Georgia for the Chick-fil-A Invitational hosted by Berry College, on Oct. 23 -24.
—Simon Johnstone
Women’s Swimming
The women’s swimming team is coming off a double sweep, defeating Warren Wilson and William Peace last weekend.
“I am always happy going into a meet because I love my sport no matter what my results are after the race,” said freshman Kelly Mashburn.
Mashburn came out strong, setting a new program record with a 57:25 in the 100 free. Alongside her, Madison Nance set another new program record in the 100 IM with a time of 1:06:77. Caroline Massaro had four wins in solo victories in the 50 and 100 yard backstroke. Massaro also had wins in two relays with the 200 medley and 200 free. Mashburn, Jenise Waithe and Jillian Cash together win the 200 free relay. Head coach Teddy Guyer now has 404 career wins.
“I looked up at the scoreboard and saw 57:25, I was full of joy and pride in myself because I completed my goal,” Mashburn said.
There is a break in the Lions schedule until the Igloo Invite in Sewanee, Tennessee on Nov. 17.
—Bailee Nolan
Men’s Swimming
The men’s swimming team ran the board against Greensboro with a score of 196-20 and Warren Wilson with a final of 195-24 to complete a dual sweep last weekend.
In a meet where there were so many individuals who shined, the spotlight fell on head swimming coach Teddy Guyer who got his 400th win as head swim coach.
“We expect to get stronger as the season goes on,” Guyer said.
Guyer has been in coaching since 1993, earning a career .835 winning percentage. Piedmont started the event with Eddie Choi, Erick Fortner, Luke Borgmann, and Ross Coppedge competing in the 200-yard medley relay in which they picked up the win with a final time of 1:38.80. In the 200-yard freestyle, Ross Coppedge came in second place with a 1:55.15, with junior Leandro Forero finishing at 1:51.80.
The Lions will be back at it Oct. 28 in Asheville once again for a double dual.
—Eric Edmondson
