COLUMBUS, OH - The High Point women's volleyball team traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the first round of the 2022 NCAA women's volleyball tournament on Friday evening. Matching up with the University of Southern California at the Ohio State's Covelli Center, the Panthers Road to the NCAA Championship was cut short following the 0-3 loss to the Trojans. 


Site: Covelli Center
Score: High Point 0 (19, 19, 20), USC (25, 25, 25)
Records: High Point (23-10, 15-2), USC (22-10, 13-7 Pac 12)

High Point battled through the sets, tagging the first point on the board with a right side hit from Maria Miggins to strike some excitement from the HPU fans.
 

And we're OFF!! Miggins tags the first point! ??#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/MaFW5FUND2

— HPU Volleyball (@HPUVB) December 2, 2022

 
The Panthers 6-5 lead from a kill by Sydney Palazzolo would end up being their last lead in set one.
 

Palazzolo from the Back Row! ??????#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/jhMGvT3GEs

— HPU Volleyball (@HPUVB) December 2, 2022

 
A 4-1 run mid-way through the first set was enough to give the Trojans the 25-19 win.
 
Set two opened much like the first, with a kill from Miggins. 
 
Exchanging leads between the teams, a kill from Kathryn Wesolich, an ace from Ally Van Eekeren and a block placement by Dylan Maberry gave the Panthers a 9-8 lead.
 

The placement from Maberry ??#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/BBjiPWBRxb

— HPU Volleyball (@HPUVB) December 2, 2022

 
Going down by one at 13-14, Palazzolo hammered one down over the net to tie it back up.
 

WE SEE YOU @sydpal2 ??#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/XEu970WXZg

— HPU Volleyball (@HPUVB) December 2, 2022

 
A 5-1 run by USC late in the set was too much for the Panthers to grasp back, giving the Trojans their second set of the night.
 
In need of a set win, HPU battled in the third set, holding out long rallies, including the longest rally of the night which led to a Panther point.
 

?????????? ???? ?????????????? ??#NCAAWVB x ?? @HPUVB pic.twitter.com/qQEUA3K0J3

— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 2, 2022

 
After being down through most of the first half of set three, High Point made a run, going up 12-10. 
 

Panthers on ??#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/FYnhc6sUlY

— HPU Volleyball (@HPUVB) December 2, 2022

 
USC answered back with four straight points to go up 14-12. 
 
Hanging in there, the Panthers tied it up at 20 all with a service ace from Miggins. 
 

Miggins with the ACE!! #GoHPU pic.twitter.com/VPgmdHbVk9

— HPU Volleyball (@HPUVB) December 2, 2022

 
The Trojans executed on offense in the final five plays, securing four straight kills before an HPU error would call the game.
 
Dylan Maberry and Palazzolo finished the game with double digit kills, Maberry with 10 and Palazzolo with 12, while Van Eekeren led the way with 24 assists. At the net, Sopheea Mink and Miggins finished the night with two blocks a piece.
 
Up Next: The Panthers close out their 2022 season after making it to the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in program history, finishing with a 23-10 overall record. The 23-10 overall record records the 11^th 20+ win season in program history and Coach Ryan Meek's fourth 20+ win season since taking over at the helm in 2017.