Women’s Volleyball: Senior Jamie McDonald Sets HPU Single-Season Block Record in Win at Charleston Southern

The High Point University volleyball team topped Charleston Southern in four sets on Friday in Charleston, S.C. Senior Jamie McDonald had three block assists in the win to tie the HPU single-season record with 90.

“It was a tough environment with a really good crowd,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “Charleston Southern returned home from a few weeks on the road and packed their gym. We showed a lot of focus and played great defense. Jamie had some really good blocks as she has all season. We played a really steady match and played well for longer stretches than we had in recent games.”

McDonald hit .421 with 10 kills and three blocks and was one of four Panthers with double-digit kills. McDonald’s three blocks gave her 90 for the season to tie High Point’s single-season record. The record was originally set by Sabrina Wahid in 2003.

Senior Courtney Johnk and sophomore Kristin Heldt led the team with 13 kills each and sophomore Chelsea Davis added 12 kills. Davis had a double-double with a team-high 16 digs. Redshirt-sophomore Maddie Simpson also posted a doublt-double with 45 assists and 12 digs.

The Panther won the first set 25-21 and hit .417 in set two to roll to a 25-10 win. The Buccaneers fought off the sweep with a 25-22 win in the third set. CSU capitalized on six HPU attack errors in the frame. High Point took set four 25-16 for the win.

High Point improves to 20-9 overall and 9-4 in Big South games. The Panthers will wrap up the 2012 regular season on Saturday with a 1 p.m. match at Coastal Carolina. HPU and Coastal are currently tied in the Big South standing with 9-4 league records. The Chanticleers topped HPU in five sets at the Millis Center on Sept. 28.

“We control our own destiny tomorrow,” Oliver said. “Second place is on the line but it won’t be easy. It will be our first time in Coastal’s new gym and it is their senior night. There is no better way to prepare for the Big South Tournament than to go in there and get a win.”