DEMOREST, Georgia -- The Lady Scots traveled to Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia last weekend for a pair of matches against Great South opposition. The tri-match afternoon was built like a round-robin, with Covenant, Agnes Scott, and host Piedmont College squaring off with one another in an effort to prepare for the conference tournament which is now only weeks away. Although Covenant is not eligible to compete in the Great South's post-season this year, the day certainly gave the Lady Scots a chance to prime themselves for NCCAA post-season as well as feel out the 4-9 Scotties and the 10-8 Lady Lions, two teams they are sure to meet numerous times in the Division III future.
The day started out well for the Lady Scots, particularly for the trio of attackers on Covenant's front line. Jessie Jakes, Erica Adams, and Emily Stewart combined for 29 kills, more points than Agnes Scott scored all match, and the three middle/ outside hitters erred only 5 times in their assault (55% overall). In fact, Covenant had fifteen attack opportunities in the third set and converted all but one into a kill. Junior setter Kristin Dahlstrand paved the way for many of those opportunities with her 29 recorded assists, and she even scored some points of her own: 4 service aces, 1 kill, and 1 assisted block.
The end score read 25-12, 25-10, 25-6, and Covenant's recent schedule improved to five straight match wins and fifteen straight game wins. Unfortunately, a well-balanced and well-prepared Piedmont squad stood in the way of any further victory for the Lady Scots.
In the third and final match of the day- the bragging rights match between the two winners over Agnes Scott- Piedmont started out hot, turning attacks into points and forcing 20+ Covenant errors through the first two games. With a two game lead, the Lady Lions simmered down and eventually allowed the Lady Scots back in. In games three and four, Covenant matched Piedmont's first two games point for point and brought the competition all square at 2-2.
The Lady Scots entered Saturday 0-3 for the season in five setters, having been outscored 47-40 in deciding games, and the Piedmont match was more of the same. Covenant committed 5 errors on their attack alone and watched as the home team recorded 9 kills. The fifth set saw Piedmont score 7 of the final 8 points as the Lady Scots were nearly doubled-up 15 to 8 in yet another sloppy finish. The day ended with Heather Stafford's 16th kill of the match, 24th of the day, and 115th of the season, efforts that put her in the top ten in the Great South in both total kills and attack percentage.
While two impressive win streaks came to a close, the Lady Scots are still riding high with five wins in their last six matches, and they also remain over .500 overall at 8-7.
Their next six matches, however, will be a real test of the team's fortitude. Each of their next six opponents is currently .500 or better and has proven its worth against other quality programs. The Lady Scots will begin this tough part of their schedule with a match at Bryan College (13-7) on Tuesday, October 5 at 7:00pm.
