Box Score Box Score

The High Point University volleyball team pulled out a thrilling five-set win over Coastal Carolina Saturday at the Millis Center. The Panthers battled back after dropping the first set to win the match 3-2 (22-25, 25-17, 16-25, 25-19, 15-11) on senior day.

Senior captains Julie Hershkowitz, Megan Smith and Audie Gonzalez all carried the team at points in the match to win the game on senior day. Hershkowitz had 30 digs while Smith and Gonzalez each posted double-doubles. Smith finished the match with 20 kills and 16 digs and Gonzalez had 15 kills and 19 digs.

“To go out there and maybe not perform our best but still pull out the win is a testament to the heart of our five seniors,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “It was such an emotional day for them and I am very proud that they were able to get the win.”

After dropping sets one and three the Panthers won the final two sets to remain undefeated at the Millis Center in Big South action this season.

Smith had six of her kills in the final set, holding off a late push by Coastal Carolina to win the set 15-11. The Panthers hit .304 in the final frame, coming up with 13 digs.

In the fourth set Smith, Gonzalez, Stephanie Wallin and Michelle Chakirelis each had two kills as freshman setter Maddie Simpson spread the ball around, putting up eight assists. The Panthers won the set 25-19 to push a fifth set.

The Chanticleers took set one 25-22, fighting off a late run by the Panthers. After trailing early in the set, HPU took its first lead at 18-17 on an attack error by Coastal Carolina's Erika Lightsey. A kill from Megan kept the Panthers in the lead at 21-20 but CCU's Chelsy Kimes took control of the match with three kills in the final plays to lift he Chanticleers to a 25-22 win.

High Point bounced back in the second, sparked by Chakirelis who came off the bench to add three kills and two blocks in HPU's 25-17 win. A kill by Wallin put HPU up by eight points, 17-9. Coastal Carolina rallied off four straight points to close HPU's lead to 17-13. Gonzalez had a kill to side out for the Panthers and help HPU roll to a 25-17 win. Hershkowitz had six digs in the set and Smith and Gonzalez each had four kills.

Coastal Carolina capitalized on eight HPU attack errors in the third set, outhitting the Panthers .243 to -.031 on the way to a 25-16 win. Smith and Gonzalez each had three kills but only Anna Lott was able to get on the board with one kill for the rest of the Panthers offense.

Simpson finished the match with 47 assists and four blocks while Wallin had six kills and two blocks. Chakirelis had five kills and five blocks and Lott added five kills.

High Point ends the regular season with a 19-12 ( 13-3 Big South) record. The Panthers will play in the Big South Conference Tournament beginning Thursday, Nov. 18 hosted by Winthrop.