The High Point University volleyball team dropped Gardner-Webb, 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-13) on Senior Day at Millis Athletic Center. With the win High Point clinches at least a share of the Big South regular season title going into next week's Big South Conference Tournament. Coach Chad Esposito also earned his 100th HPU win, with the victory he moves into first place on the Division I coaching wins list.
"I am really proud of our seniors that we were able to finish their career in such fine fashion by winning at least a share of the Big South regular season title," said Esposito. "They have worked so hard in their career to get this program to where it is today. They have achieved so much, but there is still so much that we are hoping to obtain. We are hoping to finish the year by obtaining our ultimate goal."
Leading the Panthers (25-6, 13-3 Big South) was Audie Gonzalez with 12 kills. Seniors Lindsay Raus and Ashley Mellott added nine and eight kills, respectively. In the final regular season game of their career, Kristina Taylor tallied 30 assists while Lauren Hatch had a game-high 10 digs.
For the Runnin' Bulldogs (5-26, 3-13) Laura Wilcox had 10 kills. Regina Feagin recorded 26 assists and Tamia Herholz and Katie Matykowski had eight digs each.
High Point and Gardner-Webb battled in the opening set with seven ties and two lead changes. The two teams were tied at 17 before High Point went on a run to go up by four at 21-17 off a kill from Stephanie Wallin. GWU cut the lead though and was down just one at 24-23, but an attack error by GWU on the final rally gave High Point the point to secure the first set.
In the second set, High Point took a quick 10-5 lead and never let the Runnin' Bulldogs get close. High Point ended the set with its largest lead, up 10 to take set two.
The Panthers dominated the third set, outscoring GWU 16-8 in the opening half. High Point maintained the lead and rolled to the win.
High Point will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 21 on the opening day of the Big South Conference Tournament. The Panthers will learn their seed following the outcomes of today's Big South matches.
