Box Score Box Score

The High Point University volleyball team's five seniors helped the Panthers rebound from a first-set loss to beat Presbyterian 3-1 (22-25, 27-25, 25-18, 25-19) Saturday at the Millis Center. Audie Gonzalez had a match-high 20 kills, including nine in the second set to help HPU pull out the 27-25 set win.

“Today we showed our ability to battle back against a very strong Presbyterian team,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “All five seniors stepped up, made big plays and worked hard. This win was crucial as we work toward the Big South Championship.”

Gonzalez hit .326 in the match, digging nine balls and blocking one to go along with her 20 digs. Megan Smith posted 15 kills and 10 digs while Stephanie Wallin added 13 kills and three blocks. Julie Hershkowitz had a match-high 26 digs and #Anna# Lott came off the bench in the third set to contribute six kills in the final two frames.

The win lifts HPU to 10-10 (5-1 Big South) while the Blue Hose fall to 9-11 (2-3 Big South).

Despite having more kills, digs and assists than Presbyterian College in the first set the Blue Hose squeaked by HPU 25-22. The set was tied 15-15 when Lisa Shelley put down a kill to give PC a lead they did not relinquish. The Panthers pulled within one point four times, the final time at 22-23 on a kill by Michelle Chakirelis. Presley Mabrey's kill gave the Blue Hose a 24-22 advantage and an HPU attack error was the final PC point.

Presbyterian had the lead late in the second set when Amanda Kettles had a kill to make it a 25-24 PC advantage. Gonzalez answered with a kill to tie the score 25-25 and went back to the service line. Back-to-back Presbyterian errors gave HPU the set win 27-25 and tied the match 1-1.

Wallin put down six kills on six swings in the third set, lifting HPU to the 25-18 win. HPU hit .385 as a team in the set and held the Blue Hose to a .152 attack percentage. The Panthers won the set 25-18.

The Blue Hose appeared to be in control of the final set, jumping out to a 13-6 lead. The Panthers answered with an 11 point run, to take a 17-13 lead. HPU scored the first three points in the stretch on PC errors but the final eight points were kills by Smith, Gonzalez, Wallin and Lott. The Panthers kept the lead, winning the final set 25-19.

Freshman setter Maddie Simpson had 51 assists in the win and sophomore Molly Barlow finished the match with 11 digs.

HPU will travels to Radford for a 7 p.m. match on Tuesday while the Blue Hose host Charleston Southern Friday at 7 p.m.