Liberty Beats High Point Volleyball In Five Sets

• Senior Kristin Heldt led the team with 18 kills and 18 digs.
• Junior Gabi Mirand posted her second-consecutive 50-assist match with 52 helpers.
• High Point will face Winthrop and Presbyterian College next weekend.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The High Point University volleyball team went up 2-0 on Liberty but the Flames came back on their home court to win 3-2 (25-20, 25-18, 23-25, 22-25, 12-15). Senior Kristin Heldt posted her ninth double-double of the season with 18 kills and 18 digs.

Heldt hit .289 in the match with 18 kills, 18 digs, five blocks and one ace. Junior Gabi Mirand posted her second-consecutive 50-assist match with 52 helpers. She also had 13 digs and three blocks. Freshman Haley Barnes tallied 14 kills and six digs. Junior Wavie Chin had a match-high 28 digs.

Carolina Douglas led all players with 20 kills. She also added 13 digs. Jade Vorster finished with 12 kills and Hannah Weidner added 11 kills.

High Point drops to 7-11 on the season and 1-4 in league play. Liberty improved to 17-5 overall and 5-0 against Big South opponents. The Flames have won eight-straight matches.

The Panthers looked as sharp as they have all season in the first two sets. High Point hit .324 in the second set while holding the Flames to a .149 attack percentage en route to a 2-0 lead in the match.

HPU opened up a 20-14 lead in the third set on a kill from Barnes. The Flames finished the frame on a 11-3 run to win the set 25-23 and hold off the sweep. LU held on for a close 25-22 win in set four and forced a fifth set. In set five, HPU led 8-7 at the switch but it was another strong finish from LU who won the set 15-12 and won the match 3-2.

HPU continues its road trip next weekend, traveling to Winthrop on Friday and Presbyterian College on Saturday.