Box Score Box Score

The High Point University volleyball team beat Gardner-Webb 3-1 (25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22) Saturday in Boiling Springs, N.C. The Panthers got double-digit kills from Audie Gonzalez, Megan Smith and Courtney Johnk in the win and improve to 17-12 (12-3 Big South Conference).

“Gardner-Webb came out and played with a lot of energy and emotion today so I was very pleased we were able to get the win,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “Our focus wasn't where it was last night, but we matched
GWU's emotion in the fourth set and I am happy to get the win.”

Gonzalez led the way with 16 kills and 14 digs while Smith added 14 kills and Johnk had 10 kills and four blocks.

The Panthers claimed the first set 25-18. HPU had a late 23-13 lead but Gardner-Webb went on a five-point run to come within five points of the Panthers at 23-18. Smith put down a kill to bring up set point, 24-18. Maddie Simpson sent a tough serve over to GWU causing an over ball that Johnk hit down for her third kill of the set. Gonzalez and Smith each had four kills in the opening set.

Oliver went with a different starting lineup in the second set, bringing Anna Lott and Jamie McDonald in to start the second set. Lott had four kills and two blocks and McDonald had two kills in the 25-22 set win. Gardner-Webb kept the set close, fighting off two Panther set points to make it a 24-22 HPU lead. Gonzalez connected on a set from Simpson for the tenth kill of the day to seal the set for HPU 25-22.

The Bulldogs pulled out a 25-23 win over HPU in the third set to keep the match alive. After a tie at 23-23 Tyler Cockrell put down a kill to give GWU the lead and a bad set by Lauren Bell was the final Gardner-Webb point.

The Bulldogs carried the momentum to a 10-8 lead in the fourth set. The Panthers regained the lead 11-10 on an attack error by Cockrell. High Point scored eight in a row to extend the lead to 16-10. The Runnin' Bulldogs stayed in the match, taking back the lead 20-18 late in the set. It was another HPU run, this time for six straight points that set up a 24-20 Panther match point. GWU fought off two set points but a service error by Dominique Bray gave HPU the set 25-22 and the match 3-1.

Lott finished the match with nine kills and two blocks and McDonald had four kills and two solo blocks. Simpson had 40 assists in the match and Julie Hershkowitz had 19 digs.

The Panthers play a non-conference match at UNC Greensboro on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Last season HPU beat the Spartans 3-2 in a battle at the Millis Center.