• Freshman Madison Smith records a match-high 11 kills.
• The Panthers out hit the Buccaneers .219-.053.
• Sophomore Abby Bottomley logs a match-high 17 digs.  
 
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The High Point University volleyball team defeated Charleston Southern 3-0, 25-21, 25-23, and 25-12, Saturday, Oct. 6 in Charleston, S.C.
 
"After a big win last night, I challenged the girls to make sure we showed up with energy and took care of business against a Charleston Southern team, who has been playing well as of late," head coach Ryan Meek said. "I was disappointed we did not bring the energy and focus I wanted, but was proud to see us figure out a way to win the first two sets not playing our best. I was very happy to see us come back out after the 2nd set and establish our tempo and ball control in the 3rd set. Sometimes you may not play great at the start, but it's how you finish that counts. We did that today."
 
High Point out hit Charleston Southern .219-.053 and posted 37 kills to the Buccaneers' 30. Freshman Madison Smith was the leader for the Panthers with 11 kills and a .450 hitting percentage. Sophomore Abby Bottomley posted a match-high 17 digs.
 
The first set was even through the first 24 points, before HPU went on an 8-1 run to take a 20-13 lead. The Buccaneers fought back with a 6-1 run of their own, but the Panthers were able to finish the set 25-21. Madison Smith led the way for High Point with five kills in the set, while seniors Jordan Hefner and Adeline Ellis added four kills apiece. HPU out hit Charleston Southern .325-.136 in the first set.
 
Charleston Southern opened the set with a 15-11 lead, before High Point reeled off four straight points to tie the set at 15. The score was even at 23-23, before HPU scored two straight to win 25-23. Madison Smith and senior Katie Tylman logged three kills each to help propel the Panthers to victory in the set.    
 
The Panthers jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the third set and controlled it throughout. They finished the set with a score of 25-12. HPU posted four service aces in the third set. Senior Abby Broadstreet and Madison Smith led the way with three kills apiece in the third set.
 
Up next, the Panthers will take a break from Big South play to travel to Johnson City, Tenn. to play East Tennessee State on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
 
#GoHPU