The High Point University volleyball team defeated South Carolina State, 3-1 (25-22, 25-18, 22-25, 25-16) in the team's first match and followed that with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-19) win over Marist in the nightcap on the second day of the HPU Classic. HPU improves to 5-2 on the season.
"We had a really good weekend. It was nice to be able to continue the win streak on our home floor and to play so well in front of the good crowds we had for each match," said High Point University head coach Chad Esposito. "Our team played with good energy all weekend and everyone on the team got to play. We've made very good strides in a week and a lot of that is the hard work we are putting in during our practice sessions. Our goals are to keep improving each week so that we can become an even better team."
In the first match Ashley Mellott and Anna Lott lead the team with 12 kills each. Audie Gonzalez added a double-double with 11 kills and 15 digs. Senior setter Kristina Taylor had 31 assists and newcomer Holly Fong had 19. The Panthers played 15 of its 16 roster members in the match against S.C. State.
For S.C. State (1-7) Gisela Kloss had 11 kill while Jame Gleaton added 10. Bria Brimmer recorded 32 assists.
In the opening set the teams traded points until Julie Hershkowitz went on a service run for the Panthers at the 15-14 mark to put HPU up 18-15. The Bulldogs kept the score close to pull within one at 20-19, but the Panthers closed out the set with a 5-3 run to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The Panthers controlled the second set after a service run by Lyndsay Rowley put HPU up for good at the 6-3 mark. High Point lead by as many as 10 (19-9) and rolled to the 25-18 win.
SCSU took an early 7-4 lead. The Panthers responded to tie the set at eight all, but SCSU responded with an 8-4 run to go up 16-12. HPU looked to make a run in the final points, pulling within two at 21-23, but SCSU was able to hold on to win the third.
With their starters back on the court, the Panthers jumped out to a quick lead in the fourth set. SCSU kept it close until Rowley went on a six serve run to give High Point an 18-10 advantage. The lead was too much for the Bulldogs to overcome as High Point cruised to the 25-16 win to secure the match.
Mellott also lead all HPU attackers in the second match of the day, recording 13 kills. Gonzalez added 11. Taylor had 33 and Hershkowitz had 16 digs.
The Red Foxes (2-7) were lead by Joanna Foss with 10 kills. Dawn Jan had 26 assists and Emily Brosky recorded 17 digs.
High Point came out strong in the opening set to take a quick 12-6 lead over Marist. The Panthers extended that lead when Tara Dyer went on a six serve run to give HPU a 19-7 advantage. Marist tried to fight back, but would only get as close as six as the Panthers took the 1-0 lead in the match.
In the second set HPU and Marist traded points in the opening rallies and were tied at seven each. Gonzalez would break that tie, serving nine straight to give the Panthers a 15-7 lead. Marist pulled within four at 21-17, but HPU held off the Red Fox surge to go up 2-0 in the match.
The Panthers staged an early run in the third set as Hershkowitz served six to put High Point up 8-3. Marist made a late run to pull within three off the steady serving of Jan at 21-18, but HPU scored back-to-back points to move the victory out of the Red Foxes' reach.
"Throughout the tournament our serve receive and defense were really key," Esposito said. "It allowed us to stay in our system and to take advantage and score points on a consistent basis."
High Point will be back in action on Tuesday when it hosts intra-Triad foe North Carolina A&T. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in the Millis Center.
Full Results/Box Scores from the tournament are available by clicking the Game Notes link at the top of the page.
HPU Classic All-Tournament Team
UNCG: Branagan Fuller, Kayren Finney
Marist: Joanna Foss
S.C. State: Bria Brimmer
East Carolina: Trish Monroe
High Point: Kristina Taylor, Ashley Mellott, Audie Gonzalez
