Box Score BOX SCORE

The High Point University volleyball team dropped its first road contest of the season, a 3-0 loss at Elon Tuesday evening. Senior captain Julie Hershkowitz collected a match-high 18 digs and Megan Smith posted her third double-double of the season as HPU falls to 2-2 for the year.

“My hat is off to Elon, they are a great offensive team,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “I felt like our defense played well, we had great first touches and a tremendous effort but there isn't much you can do against that much offense. I was very proud of the effort of every single person on the team. We have to be better in pressure situations and figure out how to get the win.”

Smith had 11 kills and 12 digs in the loss and freshman Michelle Chakirelis and senior Stephanie Wallin each had five kills.

Elon took the first set 25-19. High Point was even with the Phoenix at 9-9 before Elon started to pull away with the lead. The Panthers never let the lead get further than five points but couldn't catch up to Elon in the frame and an attack error by Smith put the Panthers down 19-25 and one set to none.

The second set was close with the score tied 17 times, as late as 24-24 but Elon was able to put away the final two kills to win the set 26-24. High Point captured a 17-15 lead earlier in the frame on a solo block by Maddie Simpson. The Panthers only held the lead for nine plays until the Phoenix tied the score 21-21. Smith gave HPU the lead with a kill at 24-23 but Elon finished the set with three straight kills to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Elon carried the momentum in to the third and final set, jumping out to a 13-4 lead. Oliver went to his bench and with sophomore Lauren Bell in to set HPU went on a 4-0 run to make it a 13-8 Elon lead. After a Phoenix timeout they rolled the lead to 18-9. The Panthers did not give up, cutting the lead to five at 20-15 but never any closer and Elon sealed the match with a 25-18 win.

Hershkowitz and Smith each had two service aces. Simpson led the Panthers will 11 assists and Stephanie Kaminskas added 10.

High Point will travel to Huntington, W.Va. this weekend to take part in the Thundering Herd Invitational hosted by Marshall. HPU will face Marshall, Hofstra and Cleveland State.