CLEVELAND, OHIO – The High Point University volleyball team lost to IPFW in the final match of the Cleveland State Invitational on Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio. The Mastodons pulled out a victory in a tight first set and used the momentum to sweep the Panthers 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-21).
“This was a tough weekend when you look at the record,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “We played some quality teams and we continue to show growth every match. I know that playing these tough matches will pay off as the season continues.”
Sophomore Annemarie Chin posted a match-high 20 digs in the match and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Junior Chelsea Davis led HPU with 10 kills and also had six digs. Junior Kristin Heldt added seven kills.
Emily Spencer tallied 10 kills for IPFW and Hailie Ripley and Sarah Heckman had nine each. Madison Spence dished out 35 assists in the win. IPFW improves to 5-1 while High Point’s record is now 2-4.
IPFW held off High Point in a tight first set. Junior Katie Vincent and senior Maddie Simpson blocked an attack by Spencer to put the Panthers ahead 7-5. IPFW answered with a four-point run to take a 9-7 lead. The Mastodons held the lead for the rest of the set, holding off a late run by the Panthers. HPU pulled within two points, 22-20, on a service ace by Simpson. After an IPFW timeout, the Mastodons won three long rallies to win the set 25-20.
In the second set the Mastodons led the entire way, scoring the first three points and steadily increasing their lead en route to a 25-14 victory. IPFW sided out at 93 percent and outhit the Panthers .423 to .154.
Freshmen Val Jeffery, Crystal Widom and Megan Kennedy were inserted in the lineup in the third set. The Panthers trailed by eight, 19-11 but clawed back in to the set. Widom put down two kills in a 4-0 run to make the score 19-15. HPU kept battling getting within two points, 22-20, but couldn’t complete the comeback, losing 25-21.
Jeffery finished the match with nine assists and two aces, Widom had four kills and Kennedy had five digs.