Box Score BOX SCORE

The High Point University volleyball team dropped the Big South Conference opener to Coastal Carolina, 3-0 (24-26, 23-25, 23-25), in front of a crowd of 983 fans at the Millis Center Friday as part of Greek Week.

“Coastal just found a way to win,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “Good teams, at certain points in matches, have the confidence to make swings that will win matches. Coastal had that confidence and we had a great learning experience. We have to take away the knowledge that we can make winning, championship type plays.”

Junior middle blocker Stephanie Wallin (Plymouth, Minn., Robbinsdale Armstrong) led the Panthers with 10 kills and four blocks and junior captain Julie Hershkowitz (Scottsdale, Ariz., Seton Catholic) had 20 digs in the match. Hershkowitz now has 1,382 career digs and is just eight digs short of breaking High Point's record for career digs, currently held by Lauren Hatch (2005-08).

The first set was a close battle with score tied nine times, including a tie at 22-22. Megan Smith (Bellbrook, Ohio, Bellbrook) and Megan Kaminskas (Flagstaff, Ariz., Flagstaff) combined for a block to give the Panthers a 23-22 lead but Coastal answered back with a kill from Chelsy Kimes to knot the score at 23-23. Kimes put the Chanticleers up 24-23 with another kill and Kaminskas and Wallin combined for another HPU block to knot the score for the final time at 24-24. Coastal Carolina capitalized on a service error from Smith and an attack error from Molly Barlow (Phoenix, Ariz., Seton Catholic) to win the set and take a 1-0 match advantage.

The Panthers jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the second set and kept the lead until the Chanticleers tied the set at 23-23 on an attack error by Wallin. Kimes put the Chanticleers up with a kill and Coastal Carolina won the set 25-23 when Kaminskas was blocked by CCU's Jill Nyhof.

The third set was another tight battle with eight lead changes and 26 ties but the Panthers fell just short, dropping the third set 25-23 and the match 3-0. Wallin put the Panthers up 23-22 with her 10th kills of the match but the Chanticleers scored the next three points to win the frame.

Sophomore setter Holly Fong (Sebastopol, Calif., El Molino) had 31 assists and Kaminskas finished the night with five kills, four blocks and a .400 attack percentage.

High Point is back in action Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Millis Center when they take on Big South-rival Winthrop in the “Compete for the Cause” game to raise money and awareness for the fight against Breast Cancer. High Point Regional Health System will be partnering with High Point University in our fight against Breast Cancer. Through the assistance of our volleyball team, the High Point community has an opportunity to unite and raise awareness and funds for the cure of Breast Cancer

Fans, students, and community members who are interested in getting involved can do so by pledging money for each dig the Panthers record over the Eagles of Winthrop University. Fans can purchase an Official 2009 High Point University Compete for the Cause t-shirt at the door and flat donations will also be gladly accepted. All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“I am extremely excited to be a part of Compete for the Cause,” Oliver said. “It really hits home when you coach a women's team. You never want to see this disease affect the people you care about. It feels great to give back and help find a cure.”