CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The High Point University volleyball team battled with UNC in a five-set preseason exhibition match, but fell 3-2 in Carmichael Arena.
Site: Carmichael Arena (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Score: High Point 2, UNC 3 (15-25, 25-17, 25-22, 17-25, 11-15)
Records: High Point (0-0, 0-0), UNC (0-0, 0-0)
Five new Panthers made their debut in the Purple and White.
Ally Van Eekeren,
Kathryn Wesolich, and
BayLea Sparks all started the match while
Jillian Ziemba and
Ella Grasson each appeared as defensive specialists in the set.
UNC jumped out to a quick 8-5 lead in the first set, forcing a Panther timeout. HPU called another timeout at 18-11 and responded with a
Sydney Palazzolo kill, one of her team-high five in the set.
But the Tarheels put the first set away, 25-15.
HPU took an early 8-6 lead in the second behind kills from
Maggie Salley, Palazzolo, and
Gabrielle Idlebird.
UNC tied the set at eight, but HPU called a timeout and Palazzolo fired off another kill out of the timeout.
Back-to-back stuffs by
Sophee Mink and
Kathryn Wesolich gave the Panthers the 18-14 lead.
Wesolich cleaned up an overpass as HPU was the first to 20 points in the set before
Maria Miggins followed up with a service ace to force the Tarheel timeout.
A Wesolich kill secured the set win and tied the match at one set apiece.
The third set proved to be a back-and-forth battle with neither side able to maintain a comfortable lead. A Palazzolo ace gave HPU the 13-12 lead after having trailed or been tied since 2-2 in the set.
After falling behind 18-19, High Point called a timeout and scored seven of the last 10 points to take the 25-22 set win. Maberry led the Panthers with seven winners in the set.
HPU fell behind 6-3 early in set four, but the Panthers pulled back within 9-8 behind kills from Palazzolo and Maberry.
High Point took the 13-12 lead as Palazzolo fired off three kills, but a 9-0 UNC run put the Tarheels back up, 21-13.
Another Palazzolo slam and two blocks from Idlebird and Maberry brought the Panthers back within five.
UNC finished off the match with two kills from Mabrey Shaffmaster and a block to take the set, 25-17.
The Tarheels jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead in the deciding set. A Idlebird kill put the Panthers back within 7-5 and two Panther blocks tied the game at seven.
After a 3-0 UNC run, Maberry finished off a kill and combined with Wesolich on the block to pull HPU back, 10-9.
A Salley kill tied the match at 10 apiece before the Tarheels notched a kill, a block, and an ace to take the 13-10 that would be the final push the home team needed.
Up Next: HPU travels to the VCU Invitational next weekend to open the regular season. The Panthers take on VCU on Friday, August 25th at 11:00 AM in Richmond.
#GoHPU
