The High Point University volleyball team defeated Coastal Carolina, 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-11) on Friday night in the Millis Athletic Center. High Point improves to 14-3 and remains undefeated in Big South play at 4-0. The Chanticleers fall to 12-7 and 2-2 in the League.
"I'm extremely pleased with our effort and performance tonight," said High Point University head coach Chad Esposito. "The key to our success tonight was our serving and taking them out of their side-out offense. We were able to execute on offense regularly and it led to our gaining big leads in the first and third sets."
Leading High Point was Stephanie Wallin with 12 kills on .524 hitting percentage. Lindsay Raus added nine kills. Tara Dyer and Audie Gonzalez both had 12 digs. With her first dig of the night, Gonzalez became HPU's all-time Division I dig leader. Kristina Taylor recorded 37 assists.
For Coastal Carolina, Chelsy Kimes had 12 kills. Megan Bickford and Amanda Russell each had 5. Meagan Tracey recorded 18 assists and Brett Starbuck had 16 digs for the Chanticleers on defense.
High Point controlled most of set one, leading 18-9 at one point. The Panthers took a 10 point lead at 23-13. Coastal never got close as HPU rolled to the 1-0 set lead.
The second set was a battle between the two teams with the score tied at 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, but the Chanticleers went on a 6-1 run to go up 20-15. High Point would go on an 11-4 run, highlighted by back-to-back aces from Hershkowitz, to close out the set and take the 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third set, High Point dominated the play and took an early 11-4 lead. Coastal would never get closer than six at 13-7. The Panthers closed out the set with a 12-4 run to win the match.
"The thing about this team that is so impressive is when they are down they don't panic," Esposito said. "We find ways to dig and crawl back in to sets and give ourselves a chance to get back in it and turn it around. It's a sign of a veteran team and the maturity of our program. Stephanie Wallin was impressive tonight on offense and when she's on the rest of our offense is completely balanced and we are able to hit on all cylinders."
The Panthers will be back in action on Saturday when they host Charleston Southern at 2:00 p.m. in the Millis Center.
