• High Point came back from a 2-0 set deficit, the Panthers won three straight sets to take the match 3-2.
• The Panthers freshmen stepped up hugely in a highly competitive conference game. 4 freshmen finished the match with double digits in kills. Megan Kratzer led the way with 20 kills while Annie Sullivan had 15, Kaley Rammelsberg had 12, and Sopheea mink had 10. 

High Point, NC- The Panthers overcame a 2-0 match deficit, HPU took Radford to 5 sets and beat their Big South foe 3-2. High Point's relentless effort and heart was on full display. The Panthers put together three straight-set wins to pick up their first conference win against Radford.

"We've been down 2-0 three times this year and pushed it to five sets, we did it against Omaha and pulled it out, and we were able to pull it out again today." Assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jill Sikes said. "It was definitely good to see our reactions, we came together as a team and kept fighting and that's something that we like to see from this group."

High Point started hot in the first set, kills from Rammelsberg and Mink would cause Radford to call timeout with the score at 13-7. Out of the timeout, Radford would storm back, going on a 9-to 3 run which tied the score at 16. Idlebird would yet again make a big play in a key moment with a kill to bring the Panthers within one at 21-20. A Radford error tied the game then Kassidy Dickerson had an ace that would put High point up one 22-12. The Panthers led 24-23 and were serving with a chance to take the first set but Radford kept battling. The match went beyond 25. At 27-26 Radford had a chance to win the set Sullivan came up with a kill to tie it and keep the Panthers alive. The set would push past 30, Megan Kratzer's kill put the Panthers in position to win the first set 31-30. The Highlanders would tie it again at 31. Radford would find a way to win the first set 33-31.

After an epic battle in the first set, the second set would maintain that same intensity. An Annie Sullivan kill would tie the second set at 9-9. Radford started to build momentum out of a High Point timeout, the Highlanders led 20-15. The Panthers would mount a comeback, a Bottomley ace, and two Radford attack errors made a 2-point differential 22-20. Maria Miggins brought the Panthers back within 2 with a crucial kill, an attack error while she was serving brought the Highlander lead down to 1. But, Radford would go on to win the set 25-22. This would give Radford a 2-0 lead going into the break.

To start the 3rd set Radford would jump out to 5-0 lead. The Panthers used a 5-1 run to storm right back to make it 6-5. As Radford would build upon their lead, the Panthers refused to fall far behind. More great play from HPU's young front line would keep them in the third set with kills in critical moments from Kratzer and Idlebird. A Kratzer kill and a High Point block gave the Panthers a 2-point lead, 18-16. Radford had a 22-21 lead High Point blocked the Highlanders to tie it at 22. With a 24-23 lead, Abby Bottomley's ace clinched the third set for the Panthers making it 2-1 in sets overall.

After forcing the 4th set, High Point carried that momentum with them. HPU would take a 5-4 lead early. The set changing moment would take place when Gabrielle Idlebird scored with what can best be described as a "kick kill" which put the Panthers up 4. From there HPU would jump out to a 17-9 lead. Sullivan and Idlebird delivered a kill each to give High Point a ten-point lead at 24-14. Kratzer's kill would cause the match to go to a 5th set as the Panthers won the 4th set 25-14.

The Panthers found themselves down 2-0 at the break, HPU came all the way back and forced a 5th set. Kratzer came up clutch with a kill that put the Panthers up 4-2 in the fifth set. Radford would bring themselves within one, Doering would create separation with a kill that put High Point up 10-8. Sullivan added to that with a kill of her own, the Panthers led by 3 and were 4 away from winning the match. High Point called timeout as Radford made it 13-12. High Point scored two straight points out of the timeout and won the set 3-2.

High Point is now 1-0 in Big South play after a momentous win in the Millis Center. Abby Bottomley played a huge role in the Panther win. Not only did she provide important contributions to her team throughout the match but she broke the High Point single game digs record with 44. The previous record-holder was herself, Abby Bottomley.

Up Next: Next weekend the Panthers host more Big South action in the Millis Center as the Hampton Pirates comes to High Point, Friday night at 7:00. The Panthers will then host the Campbell Fighting Camels on Saturday at 2:00.

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