ATLANTA – The Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels opened the 2026 season with a statement, defeating Piedmont University 3-1 in their season opener and securing the first win of the season. The victory also marked the first career win at Oglethorpe for first-year head coach Mara Suarez.
Oglethorpe controlled the match offensively, recording 48 kills compared to Piedmont's 37. The Petrels also held the advantage in service aces, 15-4, assists, 46-36, and digs, 52-39.
Callie Simmons led the Petrels with nine kills, followed closely by Madison Thompson and Jane Pennington, who each recorded eight. Thompson was especially efficient at the net, hitting .727 with eight kills on 11 attacks while adding five blocks.
Behind the service line, Abby Wheeler led the way with six aces, while Ava Adams added four and Lauryn Frazier contributed three.
Frazier also paced the Petrels' offense with 22 assists, while Adams added 15. Wheeler led the defensive effort with 15 digs, followed by Adrianne Ryan with 14 and Annabelle Turnbull with six.
The Petrels opened the match with a back-and-forth first set before taking control late. With the score tied at 15-15, Wheeler delivered a service ace to give Oglethorpe the lead, followed by a kill from Simmons. Adams then sparked another run with back-to-back service aces, helping the Petrels build a 20-17 advantage. Oglethorpe continued to hold its composure down the stretch, eventually closing out the set 25-22.
Oglethorpe carried its momentum throughout the remainder of the match, using its serving pressure and balanced attack to secure the 3-1 victory.
With 15 aces as a team, the Petrels consistently put pressure on Piedmont from the service line. Oglethorpe also finished the match with six total blocks, matching Piedmont's six, while limiting the Lions to a .097 hitting percentage.
The victory gave Oglethorpe a 1-0 record to begin the season and Suarez her first win as head coach of the Stormy Petrels.
Game Notes
- The victory marked the first win of the 2026 season for Oglethorpe.
- The win was the first career victory at Oglethorpe for head coach Mara Suarez.
- Oglethorpe finished with 48 kills compared to Piedmont's 37.
- The Petrels recorded 15 service aces, nearly four times Piedmont's total of four.
- Madison Thompson led Oglethorpe with five blocks and hit .727 for the match.
- Abby Wheeler led the Petrels with 15 digs and six service aces.
- Lauryn Frazier recorded a team-high 22 assists.
- Oglethorpe finished with 52 digs compared to Piedmont's 39
Up Next
The Stormy Petrels will host Huntingdon College for their next match, Friday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m.
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