HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University volleyball team opened the month of November with a Big South Conference matchup at home against UNC Asheville. In the team's second meeting this season, HPU dominated from all areas of the floor and picked up the 3-0 sweep.
"I loved our effort and focus today," Head Coach
Ryan Meek said. "While our offense was shiny, it was produced by controlling the ball and creating swings for our hitters. We talked about making it hard to score and our serving, blocking and floor defense showed up big. A great team win."
Site: Millis Center
Score: High Point 3, UNC Asheville 0
Records: High Point (13-9, 9-2), UNC Asheville (8-16, 5-6)
How it Happened:
The first set went by in a flash. In just 20-minutes of action, High Point dominated and won 25-10, making it their ninth set this season holding their opponent to 15 or less points in a 25-point set.
Set one was led by Élodie Lalonde with five kills. As a team, the Panthers hit an impressive 65.4%. Through the first half of the set, the Panthers collectively put together 2-3 points at a time on a balanced attack.
After leading 12-7, HPU put on a clinic with four kills, a
Brooke Briscoe service ace and a double block on the outside from
Addison Freeland and
Remy Catojo, extending the Panthers lead to 18-7.
A UNC Asheville kill stopped HPU's run momentarily as Freeland put down a hit in the middle to gain back the serve and pave the way for High Point to go on a 5-0 run and lead 23-8. Both teams scored two more points to end the set as the Panthers won 25-10.
In set two, High Point jumped out on another lead and went up 13-7 after Freeland and
Gia Padilla picked up a double block followed by a Freeland kill in the middle.
The Panthers continued to dominate and went up 18-12. UNC Asheville made small strides and closed the set to a three-point game at 18-15 before making it a one-point game at 20-19.
High point returned from a needed timeout and shut the set down, going on a five-point run to win 25-19. The five-point run was led by Lalonde with two kills and a block.
Opening set three, the Bulldogs took their first lead of the set at 5-4. Picking up two kills, UNCA extended its lead to 7-4. HPU regained its focus and made another strong run that made it 11-7 in favor of the Panthers. During the run, Bukvcan recorded her 100th block this season as a freshman.
High Point kept the pressure on and continued its lead with the help of Freeland, Padilla and
Ryley Boyne, who mixed in outside hits and even punched down a kill in the middle during a rally.
A double block on the outside pin from Lalonde and Bukovcan made it 19-14. Chipping away through the final points of the set, the Panthers advanced to a 24-18 lead with a Freeland kill. UNCA kept the fans on their feet awaiting the final point of the match after picking up three points to make it 24-21. Padilla secured the final point for High Point giving the Panthers the 3-0 sweep, their fourth sweep in conference play.
Extra Stats:
- Freeland and Lalonde had another double-digit performance on the attack as Freeland collected 11 kills and Lalonde collected 13. Freeland posted a .435 hitting percentage.
- The back line was managed by three players in double figures led by Kea Whillock with 16 digs, Brooke Briscoe with 11 and Sydney McKay with 10.
- The Panthers registered 12 blocks as a team to UNCA's solo block, led by Bukovcan and Freeland with five block assists a piece. Bukovcan recorded her 100th block of the season in set three.
- As a team, HPU recorded 45 kills and held UNC Asheville to 32.
UP NEXT:
High Point travels to Clinton, S.C. on November 7 to begin the final conference road weekend of the season at Presbyterian College. The first serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Follow along with live updates on X (@HPUVB).
#GoHPU
