LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Coming off a somewhat successful weekend of volleyball down in Montgomery, Alabama, the Covenant Lady Scots returned to the comforts of Barnes Gymnasium for the first time in three weeks Tuesday night.
Covenant won two matches over the weekend at the Faulkner University Invitational, but also found themselves on the short end in two matches. The Lady Scots dropped decisions to Dillard University and Bethel University (TN), both in straight sets, before rebounding from those losses with two wins on Saturday, one against Brewton-Parker College (3-0) and the other against the host school, Faulkner University (3-1).
With those outcomes, Covenant returned home with an even 10-10 record on the year and was hoping to avenge an early season loss to Piedmont College. The Lady Scots had to battle hard, but still came out on top, winning the match in four (17-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-18).
At first, things did not look promising for the home team as Piedmont dominated the early action and took the opening set easily, only trailing one time during in the process. The Lady Scots did not turn things around until halfway through the second set when, trailing 20-17, they rattled off eight of the final nine points of the set, aided by kills from Jessie Jakes and Erica Adams as well as a service ace from Paige Cheney to end the game and tie up the score at 1-1.
Covenant followed the same pattern in the third set as once again they found themselves trailing late 23-19. This time the Lady Scots scored seven of the final eight points and were helped greatly by four Piedmont errors in the process as Covenant took control of the match. The Lady Scots left little doubt as to who the better team was in the fourth set as they jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead, including three Jessie Jakes kills, and control the lead for the remainder of the contest.
Erica Adams and Jessie Jakes each had 14 kills to lead all players in that category on the night, with Jakes also recording 16 digs. Kristin Dahlstrand had another excellent match with 32 assists and 10 digs, and Emily Stewart chipped in seven kills with 10 digs.
Piedmont (10-11) was led by Rachel Powell and her 11 kills. Katherine Knarr had 18 assists, and Paige Eslinger added 18 digs to lead all players.
Covenant's record again climbs over the .500 mark at 11-10 on the year. The Lady Scots will hit the road this weekend when they travel to former Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Tennessee Wesleyan College Thursday night. Their next home game is scheduled for October 28 against Agnes Scott at 6:30.
