FERRUM, Va. — Averett University volleyball suffered a 3-2 loss to Piedmont College, but rebounded with a 3-0 victory over host Ferrum College on Saturday afternoon in USA South Conference action.

Averett (14-12, 8-4 USA South) finished the day with a win over Ferrum (3-17, 2-10 USA South), topping the Panthers 25-20, 25-12 and 25-23. Earlier in the day, Piedmont (13-8, 5-2 USA South) edged Averett 21-25, 24-26, 25-21, 27-25 and 15-12.

Against Ferrum, Averett had a team hitting percentage of .304, including a .524 mark in the second set. Freshman Hannah Shields had a team-high 10 kills, while freshman Jessica Sheek added seven kills. Shields and senior Nicole Barringer led the team with five digs apiece, with Barringer making 27 assists. With the win, the Cougars swept their regular season series with Ferrum after also winning 3-0 at home on Sept. 17.
 
Averett opened the day with a battle against Piedmont. The Cougars took the first set 25-21, then edged the Lions 26-24 in the next set to grab a 2-0 lead in the match. Averett, however, couldn't close the door on Piedmont as the Lions won the third set 25-21. Piedmont then outlasted the Cougars 27-25 in Set 4 to notch match 2-2 and force a deciding fifth set. The Lions held Averett off 15-12 in the final frame to seal the comeback.

Hannah Shields and freshman Sarah Smoot led the Cougars with 24 kills and 22 kills, respectively. Shields also had 12 digs. Sheek added 10 kills and Barringer finished with 64 assists and 19 digs against Piedmont.

The Cougars return home to play conference foe Meredith College at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Grant Center.