The High Point University volleyball team defeated local rival UNC Greensboro, 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-22) on Tuesday at Fleming Gymnasium. HPU improves to 7-2 on the season while UNCG falls to 6-4.
Leading the Panthers was Audie Gonzalez with 11 kills. Lindsay Raus added seven. Senior setter Kristina Taylor tallied 29 assists in the match while Tara Dyer had 10 digs.
For the Spartans Branagan Fuller had 10 kills and Kayren Finney added seven. Kimiko Naito notched 11 assists while Catherine Hanners had 11 digs.
In the first set HPU jumped out to a quick lead going up 10-6 off a kill from Gonzalez. The Spartans cut the lead to two, but High Point responded with an 8-3 run to take the 18-11 advantage. UNCG fought back though to close the gap to three at 21-18, but Hershkowitz served three straight to put the Panthers up 24-19. The Spartans would get another chance, but a kill from Stephanie Wallin secured the HPU win.
High Point came out strong in the second set as Tara Dyer went on a eight serve run to put the Panthers up 9-4 early in the set. The Panthers continued their run, only allowing the Spartans to get as close as seven at 23-16. HPU quickly scored the next two to take the 2-0 match advantage.
UNC Greensboro rallied to come out a take a quick 6-1 lead in the third set. HPU cut the lead to two (4-6) off an ace from Lauren Hatch, but the Spartans responded on the next serve with a kill from Billi Baker. The Spartans again extended their lead to 12-8, but HPU responded with a 4-1 run to close the gap at 13-12. Back-to-back kills from UNCG's Fuller pushed the lead back out for the Spartans to 16-12. HPU refused to back down and went on a critical 5-0 run, that was highlighted by a pair of kills from Raus, to give HPU the 17-16 lead. The two teams traded points and tied the match at 22 all, but Point's Taylor and Wallin combined for back-to-back kills to put HPU up 24-22. On the next possession UNCG had an attack error to give High Point the match.
"It was a really good win against a very good team," said HPU head coach Chad Esposito. "We came in here and took control of the match right away. We were able to keep them out of rhythm and out of sync, and that is a credit to our defense. Our girls were really focused tonight and when we put our mind to the task at hand we can really play well and get things done."
The Panthers will be back on the court Sept. 19-20 when they travel to Buffalo, N.Y. for the University at Buffalo Classic. HPU will face St. Francis at 12:00 p.m. and Buffalo at 7:00 p.m. on the first day.
