Box Score Box Score

After going down 2-1 in the match the High Point University volleyball team rallied to force a fifth set but couldn't complete the comeback falling 13-15 in the final frame. Senior Audie Gonzalez had seven of her 17 kills in the fourth frame to help the Panthers force a fifth set.

“Our focus was great and our energy was high against a good Marshall team,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “I was pleased to see us play at such a high level but we got stuck in one rotation at the end and it hurt us. We will win these games at the end of the season, I know it.”

Gonzalez took control in the fourth set to secure a 25-14 win for High Point and push a fifth set. She had three consecutive kills to move HPU's lead from 18-12 to 21-12 late in the frame as well as a service ace to put the Panthers at set point 24-14. Michelle Chakirelis and Megan Smith had a block for the final point of the set. Gonzalez had seven kills in the set and Maddie Simpson put up 12 assists.

In the fifth set High Point led 8-6 before Marshall went on a run to take a 14-10 lead. The Panthers fought off three set points before Elizabeth Herman had the final kill for Marshall, winning the set 15-13.

Gonzalez had six digs and three block assists to go with her 17 kills and Smith finished the day with 19 kills and 12 digs. Simpson had 47 assists in the match.

The Panthers jumped out to a 7-3 lead early in the first set, with Smith, Anna Lott and Chakirelis all connecting for kills early in the frame. Marshall rallied, tying the match at 11-11 before taking the lead at 12-11 on a kill from Cameron Yoho. The Thundering Herd would not trail again in the frame, outhitting HPU .341 to .200 in the 25-19 win.

In the second set it was Marshall that took an early lead but High Point was able to rally, taking an 8-7 lead on a kill by Smith. Marshall kept the match close for a few more points until a kill by Chakirelis made it 13-11 and brought Breanna Holliday to the service line. HPU rattle off three straight points with Holliday at the line, extending the lead to five and taking control of the set. Stephanie Wallin's second kill of the match put the Panthers ahead 23-16 and Lott and Wallin connected on a block for High Point's 24-26 advantage. Marshall's Yoho made an attack error that seal HPU's 25-16 win and tied the match at 1-1. HPU hit .421 in the frame.

Marshall took a 2-1 match lead with a 25-16 win in the third set. The Thundering Herd outhit HPU .485 to .310 in the set, committing just one attack error.

High Point will face Hofstra at 5 p.m. The Pride are 0-2 in the Thunder Invitational with losses to Marshall and Cleveland State.