Box Score Box Score

After dropping the first set the High Point University volleyball team battled back to top Cleveland State in the second but the Vikings won the last two sets to defeat HPU 3-1 (16-25, 25-23, 12-25, 21-25) in the opening game of the Thunder Invitational at Marshall.

"Cleveland State is a very good team," said head coach Jason Oliver. "Our play tonight was inconsistent and we have to find a way to play like we did in the second set for the whole match. There are still two more games this weekend against quality opponents and we have work to do."

Senior Anna Lott led HPU with five kills and eight assisted blocks while senior Julie Hershkowitz had 15 digs.

Cleveland State was able to spread the offense around in the first set, with three separate attackers posting three kills to take a 25-16 win over the Panthers. HPU also struggled from the service line, committing three errors with only one ace. Stephanie Wallin had four kills in the set.

In the second set High Point took a 7-5 lead on back-to-back aces by Breanna Holliday. Cleveland State tied the set again at 11-11 but would never take the lead in the set. Lott had a critical kill to put the Panthers on top 23-21. The Vikings kept it close, coming within one at 24-23 but Audie Gonzalez sealed the match for HPU with her fifth kills of the game. The Panthers hit .387 as a team in the frame.

The Vikings answered with a 25-12 win in the fourth set, outhitting High Point .333 to .036. Cleveland State took a quick 8-0 lead before a kill by Megan Smith put HPU on the board. The Panthers would come as close as six points at 13-7 but Cleveland State kept extending the lead all the way to a 25-12 win.

High Point was able to keep the fourth set close early on, leading 16-14 and forcing Cleveland State to call a timeout. The Vikings scored three straight out of the break to take back the lead, 17-16. With Maddie Simpson at the service line High Point put up back-to-back blocks and the Vikings hit one in to the net tying the set 21-21. Cleveland State took the last four points of the match, however, and won the game 3-1.

Simpson finished the match with 27 assists and freshman Michelle Chakirelis had six kills and two block assists.

High Point will continue action in the Thunder Invitational Saturday, facing host-Marshall at 1 p.m. and Hofstra at 5 p.m.