Box Score Box Score

The High Point University volleyball team came from behind to top The Citadel 3-1 (16-25, 25-15, 25-12, 25-15) and won its first game of the season. It is also the first win for head coach Jason Oliver. Junior middle blocker Anna Lott led the team with a .562 attack percentage and added 10 kills. Junior outside hitter Megan Smith had 16 kills and six service aces. Sophomore setter Holly Fong posted a match-high 36 assists.

"Aggressiveness was the key to winning this game," said Oliver. "We came out a little sluggish but at some point the upperclassmen came out and decided to play with more aggression and determination and it changed the attitude on floor. Smith and Stephanie Wallin just carried us at points and we needed them to. I was very pleased to see them step up."

With less than 30 minutes in between games the Panthers dropped the first set to Citadel 26-16. Smith had four kills for the Panthers but the Bulldogs outhit HPU .667 to .136.

In the second set High Point 17-6 lead early with Smith at the service line for seven consecutive points. The Panthers had a 24-13 lead but the Bulldogs fought off two game points before a kill by junior middle blocker Stephanie Wallin gave HPU the set. Wallin had four kills in the set.

With Fong at the service line the Panthers took a quick 8-1 lead in game three. A Bulldog's timeout gave the momentum to The Citadel and they rattled off five straight points to pull within three at 8-5. A kill by Lott gave High Point a 15-8 lead, forcing the Bulldogs to call their second timeout. This time the Panthers stayed in control, winning the set 25-12, scoring the final point on a block by Wallin.

The Panthers won the fifth set 25-15, to take the match 3-1 and get their first win of the season.

The Panthers are 1-1 on the season and face Georgia State Saturday at 11 a.m. and UNC Wilmington at 3 p.m. in the final two games of the North Carolina Central Tournament.