HPU Women’s Volleyball – Panthers Top Radford In Four Set On The Road

RADFORD, Va. – Senior Courtney Johnk recorded 14 kills to lead the High Point University volleyball team to a four-set win at Radford. High Point held off a late push by the Highlanders to pick up the Big South Conference win.

“We showed a lot of grit and determination,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “We had the focus that is necessary to win conference games on the road. We fought through adversity and the tough environment. I am really proud of the way we came together.”

Johnk tallied six of her 14 kills in the fourth set to secure the 3-1 (25-23, 17-25, 25-16, 25-22). High Point improved to 14-6 and 3-1 in Big South Conference play with the win.

Sophomore Chelsea Blanford tallied a career-high seven kills and sophomore Kristin Heldt added nine. Senior Molly Barlow led the team with 15 digs and freshman Annemarie Chin added 10.

High Point overcame and early eight-point deficit to win the first set 25-23. The Panthers trailed 11-19 on a kll by Emma Deininger. Johnk and sophomore Caity Farus combined for a block to side out for the Panthers. HPU scored three straight points with Johnk at the service line to chip away at the lead, 14-20. The Panthers went on another run with Blanford at the service line to close the gap to 21-18. With Annemarie Chin serving High Point went on a final six-point run to take a 24-22 lead. Emily Carlin sent an attack out of bounds to secure the 25-23 win for HPU.

Radford fought back to win the second set 25-17. The Highlanders broke a 13-13 tie with a kill by Jesse Miedema and went on a four-point run to take a 17-13 lead. High Point couldn’t overcome the deficit and dropped the set.

The Panthers forced Radford in to a -.118 attack percentage to win the third set 25-16. High Point led the entire frame and opened up an early six-point lead, 10-4. HPU kept Radford from gaining any offensive momentum forcing the Highlanders in to 11 errors on the way to the win.

In the fourth set High Point hit .314 on the way to a 25-22 win. The Panthers led by two, 24 -22 after a Radford kill. Heldt finished the match with her ninth kill of the night.

Redshirt-sophomore Maddie Simpson had 37 assists and senior Jamie McDonald had six kills and seven blocks.

High Point continues Big South play in Virginia with a 1 p.m. match at Liberty on Saturday.