High Point Volleyball falls in three sets to SMU in Wolfpack Invitational

• Sophomore Molly Livingston paced the Panthers with nine kills, three blocks and an ace.
• Junior Amy Pilat average 5.67 digs per set in the match with a team-high 17 digs.
• High Point is right back in action against Delaware at 2 p.m. looking to finish the weekend with a 2-1 record.

RALEIGH, N.C. – The High Point University volleyball team fell in straight sets to SMU on Saturday morning in the Wolfpack Invitational in Raleigh, N.C.

The Mustangs (5-3) built an early lead in the first set before the Panthers (6-3) battled back to a 23-22 edge. However, SMU responded with a 3-0 run to take the opening frame 25-23 before winning the next two sets 25-16 and 25-11.

Sophomore Molly Livingston led the way for the HPU offense with nine kills while also adding three block assists and an ace. Meanwhile, sophomore Abby Broadstreet chipped in with seven kills and four digs.

From her libero spot, junior Amy Pilat led the squad with 17 digs while senior Megan Kennedy tallied 10 digs to go along with three kills.

In the middle, sophomore Jordan Hefner registered five kills on a .333 attack percentage. Despite that effort, the Purple & White hit a season-low .056 as the Mustangs hit at a .278 clip in the match.

SMU jumped out to a commanding 16-10 lead in the first set. However, the Panthers wouldn’t go away and chipped away until senior Megan Kennedy’s kill gave HPU a 23-22 edge. But the Mustangs posted consecutive blocks to turn the tide and pull out a 25-23 victory.

In the second set, SMU built another early lead before a 6-0 run gave the Mustangs a 18-10 advantage. From there, the Panthers couldn’t get any closer than six as they dropped the set 25-16.

For the third straight set, the Mustangs came out of the gates fast building a 13-4 lead before cruising to a 25-11 win to take the match.

The Panthers are right back on the Reynolds Coliseum floor against Delaware at 2 p.m. in HPU’s final match of the weekend.