HPU Volleyball Bests Fordham, Sweeps Red Flash Classic

• Freshman Jordan Hefner anchored the Panthers at the net with eight kills and six blocks while hitting at a .467 clip.
• Sophomore Haley Barnes paced the offensive attack with 13 kills with a .367 attack percentage.
• High Point swept through the Red Flash Classic winning all three matches in three sets over Coppin State, St. Francis (Pa.) and Fordham.

LORETTO, Pa. – The High Point University volleyball team completed its sweep of the Red Flash Classic with a straight sets win over Fordham on Saturday evening in Loretto, Pa.

In similar fashion to their first match of the day, the Panthers earned a hard-fought win in the first set (25-23) before cruising in the second and third frames (25-16 and 25-17).

“What a great weekend for the team,” head coach Jason Oliver said. “We executed at a high level and had everyone contribute. I am proud of sophomores Haley Barnes and Camryn Freiberg. They both played like seniors this weekend and that is what we need from them for the rest of the season.”

Freshman Jordan Hefner had a big performance with eight kills and six blocks while maintaining a .467 attack percentage. Likewise, Barnes was efficient in racking up 13 kills and hit at a .367 clip.

Seniors Gabi Mirand and Annemarie Chin had solid performances controlling the ball for HPU. Mirand racked up 33 assists and seven digs while Chin tallied 16 digs as the Panthers earned a +4 (44-40) margin in digs.

The Purple & White registered a 6-4 edge in service aces behind senior Wavie Chin’s four on the evening. Defensively, HPU held Fordham to just a .059 attack percentage as the Panthers hit .295.

The Panthers and Rams were neck and neck through the first set before Fordham took an 18-15 lead. However, HPU responded with three straight points to knot the score. A block by Hefner and Mirand, then, put the Panthers on top (24-23) before an ace from Wavie Chin sealed the 25-23 triumph.

In the second set, the Rams charged out to a 4-0 lead before HPU responded with a 6-1 run to take its first lead. The Panthers kept the pressure on Fordham as they extended their lead to 16-11. From there, HPU was able to cruise on to take the set 25-17.

Much like the second set, Fordham jumped out early to build a 6-3 advantage in the third frame. But once again, bounced right back and went on a 13-6 run to take a 16-12 lead. Moments later, the lead swelled to six at 20-14 on back-to-back kills from freshman Molly Livingston as HPU cruised to a 25-17 win.

HPU will head to Western Carolina on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. before opening conference play in the Millis Center against Campbell on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.