The High Point University volleyball team fell to Liberty on Friday night 3-1 (31-29, 22-30, 24-30, 27-30). Liberty improves to 10-6 (2-0 Big South) while HPU falls to 9-6 (0-2 Big South).

Leading the Panthers was senior Ashley Johnson with a career-high matching 18 kills. Sophomore Audie Gonzalez recorded a double-double tonight with 12 kills and 15 digs while junior Ashley Mellot tallied 13 kills. Kristina Taylor also had a double-double recording 56 assists and 14 digs. Freshman Julie Hershkowitz was a force on defense with 34 digs and zero reception errors.

For the Flames Nicki Scripko led all attackers with 19 kills and tallied 16 digs. Jessica Nelson added 16 kills while Chelaine McCarty and Ashley Webber had 13 and 10 kills, respectively. LU setter Kallie Corbin had a double-double with 59 assists and 20 digs.

In the first game there were 27 ties and 11 lead changes as the Panthers edged the Flames. With the score knotted at 27, High Point's Lindsey Raus put together a string of offensive and defensive plays with two kills and a pair of blocks contributing to the final four points for the Panthers.  

High Point jumped out to a 4-0 lead early in the second game before Liberty got on the board. The Flames would pull even with the Panthers at 11-11 with a kill from Webber. LU would dominate the rest of the game to even the match.

Liberty held the lead in much of the third frame. The Panthers would tie the game at 16-16, but were unable to pull ahead as the Flames went on to take the 2-1 lead in the match.

In the final game High Point started strong taking a 7-3 lead over Liberty, but the Flames would rally and tie the score at 11. HPU and Liberty would see 15 ties and five lead changes in the fourth game with High Point pulling even with LU at 25, but the Flames proved too much and went on to claim the victory.

"We played really hard tonight and we have to give Liberty all the credit in the world they matched our intensity on defense and had exceptional control," said High Point head coach Chad Esposito. "It is disappointing to lose this match. We've had a tough opening in the conference with Winthrop and Liberty. It was a great team effort the girls really pulled together and showed great intensity at key points during the match. We have to refocus and get ready for the next match."  

High Point will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 29 at home against Radford. Game time is set for 2 p.m.