SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The High Point University volleyball team traveled down to Spartanburg, S.C. to take on USC Upstate in the first road game of the Big South Conference season. HPU handled business, dominating through all three sets, holding the Spartans under 15 points in each set to secure the 3-0 sweep.
"This was probably our most well-rounded match of the season," Head Coach
Ryan Meek stated. "The focus was there from start to finish and I thought our defense tightened up in the third set. We need to keep this standard of play up consistently if we're going to meet our goals this season. Loved what we did, now we need to be ready for Asheville tomorrow."
Site: G.B. Hodge Center
Score: High Point 3, USC Upstate 0
Record: High Point (8-4,2-0), USC Upstate (7-6, 0-2)
High Point was led by Élodie Lalonde and
Maya Bukovcan, combining for 27 kills. Bukovcan tallied 13 kills on a .667 hitting percentage after collecting 10 kills in the first two sets.
Addison Freeland was efficient in the middle alongside Bukovcan landing six kills on a .500 hitting percentage.
Throughout the match, the Panthers had a strong presence at the net, powering over big hits while protecting anything that came near the net. HPU trailed early 5-4 in the opening set. After going on a 6-1 run, HPU took a 10-6 lead and held the lead for the remainder of the match. It continued to be all High Point after the media timeout, leading 15-10.
Bukovcan and Lalonde tag teamed on seven of the Panthers final 10 points of the set, paving the way for a 25-13 set one win.
The Lalonde and Bukovcan show rolled over into the second set, carrying the offensive momentum for HPU. Bukovcan was switching between middle and right side kills off the slide, sending shots straight to the ground with ease.
High Point leaked out to a 7-2 lead in the second set. The Panthers remained in system as
Gabby Hill gave HPU a 10-4 advantage off a strong hit on the outside and secured another kill right after to make it 11-7.
The well distributed offense made the Panthers dangerous across the front line. A 5-0 run late in the set extended High Point's lead to 21-11. Bukovcan secured two kills and a service ace to help HPU take the set 25-15.
Set three started off with a 6-2 lead for the Panthers.
Remy Catojo went up high over the net and landed a hit in the middle of the court off a dump to push HPU's lead to 10-4. Four straight points for the Panthers provided a nine-point separation to lead 14-5. Freeland's middle kill midway through the set sparked another 3-0 run, keeping the Panthers ahead 19-10.
In the final six points, USC Upstate experienced its own errors resulting in a victory for High Point, 25-13.
Catojo finished the match with 32 assists while
Kea Whillock,
Grace Killion and Catojo compiled double-digit digs with 13, 11 and 10 respectively.
UP NEXT: High Point remains on the road for a Saturday matchup at UNC Asheville on October 3 at 4:00 p.m. in Asheville, N.C.
#GoHPU
