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Sophomore Courtney Johnk led all players with 12 kills and a .450 attack percentage in the High Point University volleyball team's 3-0 sweep of North Carolina A&T Saturday at the Millis Center.

“It was good to see a full team effort,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “The team showed a real attention to detail and did all the little things we have been talking about in practice. They controlled the first touches and communicated well. The most pleasing part of this win is definitely that everyone did the little things necessary to get a win.”

High Point improves to 2-0 on the season and will play the final game of the HPU Classic tonight at 7 p.m. The Panthers will face Appalachian State University. The Mountaineers are also 2-0 this season.

HPU hit .333 as a team in the 3-0 (25-12, 25-9, 25-12). The Aggies fall to 0-2 for the year. Senior Megan Smith put down five kills on five attempts for a perfect attack percentage on the day. Freshman Maddie Simpson had 21 assists in her collegiate debut and sophomore Lauren Bell put up 15 assists.

In the first set the Panthers forced six Aggie attack errors, while N.C. A&T was only able to put down two kills, leading to a 25-12 HPU win. In the second set Johnk had five kills and freshman Michelle Chakirelis added three kills on the way to a 25-19 win. Sophomore Molly Barlow had three service aces in the frame.
Freshman Brittany Durham led the way in the final set, putting down four kills on five attempts as the Panthers won 25-12, completing the sweep.

Barlow finished the match with five service aces and a match-high 13 digs. Johnk also had five blocks in the match.

“I felt really comfortable on the court,” Johnk said. “We were able to control the pace of the game and even with all the lineup changes we played consistently. It didn't matter who was setting the ball today, we were communicating and I was able to hit the ball well.”

There are two games remaining in the HPU Classic. UNC Wilmington and North Carolina A&T will play at 4:30 before the two unbeaten teams, HPU and Appalachian State face off at 7 p.m.