• Panthers extend conference win streak to 19.
• HPU out hits USC Upstate .248-.176 in first conference win of the season.
• High Point hosts Gardner-Webb Friday at 7 p.m.
Spartanburg, S.C.– The High Point University volleyball team defeated USC Upstate, 25-17, 25-20, 19-25 and 29-27, to open Big South Conference play Tuesday (Sept. 18) in Spartanburg, S.C. to extend its regular-season conference winning streak to 19 straight matches.
"It was an exciting start to the Big South season," HPU head coach
Ryan Meek said. "We didn't come out with the focus and intensity we needed to and, even though we were up 2-0, we were never in control. Upstate played fantastic in the third and fourth set and had us on our heels, but I thought our team did a great job of responding to the challenge and making the tough plays when they needed to. We chipped away at the lead and were able to make some plays down the stretch to escape with the win."
The Panthers (5-7, 1-0) dominated at the net hitting .248 to the Spartans' .176 and recording 62 kills to USC Upstate's 48. The Spartans (3-11, 0-1) led in service aces, 7-5.
Senior
Jordan Hefner led HPU with a season-high 13 kills and a .476 hitting percentage. Senior
Molly Livingston added 14 kills, while senior
Katie Tylman recorded 13 of her own. Senior
Abby Broadstreet and sophomore
Abby Bottomley led the way defensively with 12 digs each.
The Panthers fought back from a 21-14 deficit late in the fourth set with a 7-0 run to tie. HPU hit .208 in the final set and added 20 kills.
High Point fell behind 8-5 early in the first set, before going on a 5-0 run to take the lead for good. The Panthers hit .304 and recorded 12 kills in the first set.
The Panthers held off a late rally by the Spartans to win the second set 25-20. They recorded 14 kills during the set.
USC Upstate took the third set after jumping out to an early lead. The Spartans recorded 15 kills with a .317 hitting percentage, while the Panthers added 16 kills on .314 hitting.
Up next, the Panthers will host their first home match of the season welcoming Gardner-Webb Friday, Sept. 21 and Winthrop Saturday, Sept. 22.
#GoHPU
