Box Score BOX SCORE

The High Point University volleyball team battled back after losing the first two sets to beat Eastern Michigan 3-2 Saturday at the Nfinity Wildcat Classic. Four Panthers posted double-digit kills for the second straight match and freshman setter Maddie Simpson set a new career-high with 58 assists.

“In our last match before Big South play begins this team overcame adversity, battled and worked their tails off for that win,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “To play with as much intensity, discipline and trust in their teammates makes me incredibly proud of this team. We fought all day and came away with two wins.”

Megan Smith had a match-high 18 kills, including four in the fifth set, and 17 digs in the win. Audie Gonzalez and Stephanie Wallin each contributed 13 kills and freshman Michelle Chakirelis added 10 kills and five blocks.

Wallin was named to the Nfinity Wildcal Classic All-Tournament Team and Julie Hershkowitz was named the tournament's Best Libero.

After dropping the first two set HPU battled back with a 25-13 win in set three and held off a late EMU rally in the fourth set to come away with a 26-24 win and force a fifth set. In the final frame, the Panthers took the lead at 7-6 on a kill from Wallin and never relinquished the lead. HPU had three blocks in the set, forcing the Eagles to hit -.208.

Wallin, Smith and Courtney Johnk had four kills each in the first set but couldn't hold off a late Eastern Michigan rally, falling to the Eagles 23-25. A late kill by Gonzalez put the Panthers ahead 23-22 but the Eagles answered with two kills and an ace to win the set 25-23.

The Panthers hit .279 in the second set with 16 kills but Eastern Michigan was able to edge the Panthers with a .350 attack percentage and 18 kills, winning the set 25-22. The Panthers trailed by one, 23-22 on a kill by Gonzalez but EMU finished the set with back-to-back kills for the win and the 2-0 advantage.

Gonzalez led off the third set with a kill and the Panthers led the entire set. The lead was as large as 12 points at 24-12 and a kill by Smith won the set 25-13. HPU hit .333 in the frame with five service aces.

Eastern Michigan was serving with the fourth set tied 24-24 when Smith put down her 14th kill of the match to give HPU the 25-24 lead. Gonzalez had a solo block, her first of the game to seal the set for HPU 26-24.

Julie Hershkowitz finished the match with 32 digs and Molly Barlow picked up 10 digs. Johnk added nine kills and four blocks.

The Panthers begin Big South Conference play on Friday with a 7 p.m. match at Winthrop.