HPU Volleyball Beats N.C. A&T In Final Non-Conference Match

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The High Point University volleyball team overcame a slow start to beat North Carolina A&T in the final non-conference game of the season on Sunday at Moore Gymnasium in Greensboro, N.C. HPU improved to 12-5 with the road win.

North Carolina A&T won the first set, 25-23, and High Point came back to win the next three sets 25-21, 25-7, 25-21. Four Panthers had double-digit kills in the win led by sophomore Kristin Heldt with 14. Sophomore Caity Farus added 11 kills and sophomore Chelsea Davis and senior Courtney Johnk each contributed 10.

“North Carolina A&T played well,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “They came out with a ton of energy in their new gym and it was a good experience for us to play in that environment. We responded the right way and continue to find ways to win games.”

After losing the first set, Johnk served HPU to an 11-3 lead in the second set. High Point pushed the lead from 4-3 to 11-3 with the senior at the service line. She had two aces in the seven-point run. North Carolina A&T couldn’t overcome the early deficit, closing the gap to four at 23-19. Johnk had a kill to bring up set point, 24-19. The Aggies fought off two-set points before HPU won the frame on an A&T service error, 25-21.

High Point dominated the third set with a 25-7 win. Johnk and Farus had five kills each while Jamie McDonald and Heldt each added three. The Panthers hit .607 with 19 kills in the frame.

Heldt had four kills in the first six points of the fourth set as HPU took a 6-2 lead. The Aggies kept the final frame close, staying within two-points of HPU at 22-20. Farus and Davis put up a block and Johnk served an ace to bring up set point, 24-20. After an HPU service error, Farus sealed the win with her 11th kill of the afternoon.

Heldt hit .440 with 14 kills while Farus hit .350 with 11 kills and five blocks. Davis had five digs to go with 10 kills and two blocks. Johnk had five aces and 10 kills. Senior Lauren Bell had 36 assists and four kills while freshman Annemarie Chin had 16 digs.

High Point returns to Big South Conference action on Friday against Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers come to the Millis Center for a 7 p.m. match. CCU opened league play with a loss to Winthrop and a win over Presbyterian College this weekend. Both matches went five sets.