HPU Women’s Volleyball – Johnk Get’s 1,00th Kill In Win Over Campbell

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Senior Courtney Johnk had 20 kills, including the 1,000th of her career, as the High Point University volleyball team beat Campbell, 3-1, on Wednesday night at the Millis Center. Johnk also had five service aces.

Johnk became with seventh member of High Point’s 1,000th kill club with her match-high 20 kills. She also tied her career high with five service aces.

“It feels great to be home after two weeks on the road,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “I know playing at home helped us in the third and fourth sets. It is hard to believe Courtney Johnk already has over 1,000 kills and I have seen every one of them. She has really evolved over her career at High Point. She is an incredible individual and the type of player who can lead us every night. I look forward to seeing some of the younger girls learn from her and chase down 1,000 kills for themselves.”

The Panthers improve to 16-8 (5-3 Big South) with the 3-1 (25-22, 24-26, 25-22, 25-14) win.

Freshman Annemarie Chin set a career high with 26 digs in the win. Sophomore Kristin Heldt added 14 kills and redshirt-sophomore Maddie Simpson dished out 42 assists and had 13 digs.

Johnk’s 1,000th kill came early in the first set. She put down a kill off the Campbell block to bring HPU within two of the Camels, 8-10. The teams battled to a 21-21 tie on a kill by Campbell’s Sam Zuber. Sophomore Chelsea Davis gave HPU its final lead of the set, 22-21 and HPU went on to win 25-22. Johnk scored the final point of the frame with an ace.

Campbell rallied late to take set two 26-24. Zuber sent a ball out of bounds to tie the set 24-24. Jessica Groen put down a kill to bring up set point for the Camels and CU took the set on an HPU attack error.

HPU held off a late push by Campbell to win set three 25-22. Heldt broke a 20-20 tie with a kill from Simpson. Senior Jamie McDonald served an ace to give HPU a two-point advantage, 22-20. High Point finished off the set with kills by Heldt and Johnk to win 25-22.

In the final set HPU hit .385 with 12 kills, six by Johnk, to win 25-14. The Panthers held Campbell to a .000 attack percentage with 10 kills and 10 errors in the win.

Johnk becomes the seventh player to tally 1,000 career kills at high Point. Stephanie Wallin and Audie Gonzalez were the last players to reach the milestone, both in 2009.

“I am really happy to make it to the 1,000-kill club and I hope I can add a coupe more before the season ends,” Johnk said. “It was definitely motivation to see Audie Gonzalez and Stephanie Wallin hit that mark when I was a freshman. I didn’t always know if I would get there but coach has pushed me all the way and my teammates have always had confidence in me.”

McDonald finished the night with nine kills and five blocks. Davis added seven kills and 15 digs.

The Panthers will have nine days off before returning to the Millis Center to face UNC Asheville on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. It is the only meeting with the Bulldogs this season.