Top-seeded UNC Asheville survived an early test from eighth-seeded High Point, defeating the Panthers 3-1 (30-20, 24-30, 30-24, 32-30) in the first match of the 2002 Big South Conference Volleyball Championship.

The Panthers finish the season with a 7-27 mark.

The Bulldogs (26-7) advance to face fourth-seeded Liberty at 5:00 pm Friday.

UNCA took the first match easily, 30-20. High Point fell behind early in game two, but rallied to take the lead. The Panther held off UNC Asheville to secure a 30-24 win. The Bulldogs again established an early lead in game three, but never relinquished that lead and took a 2-1 lead with a 30-24 victory. High Point rallied late in game four to take a 27-26 lead, but the Bulldogs came on strong to win the match, 32-30.

High Point had three players with double-digit kills. Senior Lindsey Steinhaus posted 18 kills, Tracyann Pryce had 17 kills and junior Kamarsha Ryan finished with 16 kills and 12 digs. Senior Kimberly Wright finished with 20 digs and two block assists to lead the Panthers' defensive effort.

The Bulldogs were paced by freshman Rose Butler, who netted 20 kills and five digs, while hitting .415. She was joined in double-digit kills by sophomore Frida Sigurdardottir with 15 and junior Kelly Budnik with 13 kills and 13 digs.

At the annual awards banquet on Wednesday night, Pryce earned second-team All-Big South honors, while junior April Shields was named to the conference's All-Academic Team.

For full details on every match of the championship, including a live StatCast, visit the league's official website, BigSouthSports.com.