Box Score A quick start and a solid finish proved to be the difference for the High Point University volleyball team in their season-opening 3-2 (30-23, 25-30, 27-30, 30-14, 15-8) victory over Gardner-Webb on Tuesday night in the Millis Athletic Center.
The Panthers (1-0) snapped a three-game losing skid in season openers with the hard fought come-from-behind victory over the Bulldogs (0-4). A quartet of HPU offensive players reached double digit kills led by senior Michelle Feiser with a match best 18.
"First of all it is always great to open the season with a win," said third-year High Point head coach Chad Esposito. "We had some up and down moments but that is to be expected in your first match and especially playing a team with three matches under their belt. I felt like we really settled down and played extremely efficiently in games four and five. Anytime a young team is able to rally for a win it builds character and confidence."
High Point got out of the gate quickly in the first game taking a 5-1 lead that eventually grew to as large as six points at 18-12. The Panthers maintained a lead for the entire game with Gardner-Webb able to get only as close as three (25-22) before seeing HPU close the frame with a 5-1 run.
Games two and three found a much more aggressive Bulldog squad capitalizing on inconsistent passing by High Point. After trading points for most of the early action in game two, High Point eventually pushed ahead by five (20-15). GW battled back eventually knotting the score at 23 the moving in front for the 30-25 win. The third stanza saw the Bulldogs gain an early advantage and hold off a late HPU surge to earn the 30-27 victory.
The Panthers settled things down in the fourth stanza behind strong serving and solid defense at the net. HPU grabbed an 11-3 lead forcing Gardner-Webb to use both their timeouts early in the frame. High Point extended its lead to double-figures en route to a dominating 30-14 win.
HPU gained the momentum midway through the deciding game by keeping the Bulldogs off-balance with more strong serving. The High Point defense forced GW into a match low -.214 hitting performance in the final game and recorded three aces in the frame including the match winner by Jenelle Stouffer.
Joining Feiser in double digit kills were freshman Ashley Mellott with 16, Jamie Kaufman (13) and Sabrina Wahid (11). Wahid finished the night with no hitting errors and an impressive .611 hitting percentage. Defensively, Feiser, Kaufman and freshman Lauren Hatch shared team honors with eight digs apiece. Ashley Johnson finished with a team best six blocks while Kaufman recorded a team-leading four of the squad's 17 aces on the night. Four HPU freshmen made their collegiate debuts in the victory including Mellott, Hatch, Kristina Taylor and Lindsay Raus.
"I was glad that the freshmen had a chance to play," added Esposito. "Several of them really stepped up and helped us out tonight. I was really impressed with the stability and consistency that Lindsay Raus provided for us in games four and five."
Bethany Martin paced the Bulldog offense with 14 kills followed by 12 from Audra Harrison. Harrison also led all players with 19 digs on the night to record a double-double.
Next, High Point travels west this weekend to participate in the Appalachian State Invitational on Friday and Saturday. HPU faces Tennessee Tech on Friday night before battling East Carolina and host Appalachian State on Saturday. The Panthers next home match comes next Tuesday (Sept. 6) versus in-state rival UNC Greensboro.
(Photo by Caitlin Bonner)
