Oglethorpe University's volleyball team fell 3-0 to Piedmont University in Demorest, Georgia, on Sept. 16, dropping the Brookhaven school to 4-4 heading into its first Southern Athletic Association (SAA) conference match.

The Stormy Petrels lost the three sets 25-20, 25-14 and 25-19, according to Oglethorpe's athletics department. Piedmont outpaced Oglethorpe in kills (36-25), assists (32-24) and digs (31-19) across the match.

Jane Pennington led the Petrels with eight kills on 18 attacks and a .333 hitting percentage. Madison Thompson added four kills, while Toki Ingram and Callie Simmons each chipped in three.

Mandy Karavite came off the bench. She hit .667 with two kills on three attacks.

Setter Lauryn Frazier ran the offense with 12 assists, five digs and one service ace. Ava Adams contributed nine assists and four digs. Together, the two combined for 21 of the team's 24 assists.

Adrianne Ryan led from the service line with two aces, and Abby Wheeler anchored the back row with a team-high six digs.

The third set was Oglethorpe's most productive offensive stretch, with 10 kills and a .250 hitting percentage. Piedmont answered with 17 kills and a .345 clip to close out the sweep.

The loss came after Oglethorpe swept Centenary 3-0 on Sunday, Sept. 13, a match in which Pennington posted 10 kills and Ryan served four aces. The Petrels entered the Piedmont match at 4-3.

First-year head coach Mara Suarez compiled an 88-41 record with consecutive state tournament appearances at Druid Hills High School before taking over the Oglethorpe program in July. When she was hired, Suarez said she was "excited to start this new chapter here at Oglethorpe University" and that she looked forward to seeing what the team could accomplish in her first season.

The Petrels travel to Rome, Georgia, on Friday, Sept. 18, to face Berry College at 11:30 a.m. in their SAA opener.