High Point got a match-high 14 kills from Lindsey Pickens to down Radford, 3-0, for its first Big South Conference win of the season in volleyball action Sunday at the Millis Center.

The Panthers improved to 7-23 (1-8 in Big South play), while the Highlanders fell to 2-22 (1-7). The line score was 30-23, 30-26, 31-29. 

High Point was able to hold off a tough Radford charge in game three, when the Highlanders battled back after trailing 27-22. Sara Gates (33 assists, four aces, and seven digs) served three aces in a row and had some assistance from her teammates to pull RU ahead 28-27. But the Panthers rallied and  pulled out the necessary points for the eventual victory.

The Panthers' Heather Brooks had nine kills, while Heather Butt had a match-high 34 assists and four aces. April Shields had nine digs in the win.

For the Highlanders, Divona Cox led the team with 10 kills and Elizabeth Aldredge had nine digs. Tiffany Guthrie, Cox, and Aldredge each had three block assists apiece.

"We played really well this weekend and stepped up," said HPU head coach Chad Esposito. "Lindsey had a great offensive game, and Heather provided great presence on the court. We are extremely excited to win our first conference match and finally get on the scoreboard. Our goal now is to try and win the rest of our matches."

High Point visits UNC Asheville Tuesday night at 7:00 pm.