LYNCHBURG, Va. – The High Point University volleyball team secured its first sweep of the season after defeating Lamar University 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Liberty Mountain Madness.
The Panthers were led by the middle attack as both Maya Bukovcan and Addison Freeland registered 10-plus kills apiece in dominating fashion. Bukovcan recorded a season-high 15 on 21 attempts for a .619 hitting percentage. Freeland also contributed with an efficient percentage, hitting a season-high 11 kills on a .625 percentage in 17 attempts.
Site: Liberty Arena
Score: High Point 3, Lamar 0
Record: High Point (2-2), Lamar (0-5)
People are also reading…
"We started slow but found ways to win the first two sets," head coach Ryan Meek stated. "In the third set I think we played under control and we were able to open a big lead. We need better focus on our side of the net to play at our best, but I'll take a sweep on the road."
The Panthers took an early 7-4 lead in set one. Lamar tied the set at 9-9 before HPU strung together three points with a Bukovcan kill and a triple block from Bukovcan, Talia Lardner and Élodie Lalonde. Joining in on the action, freshman Kinnady Boothe knocked down a kill on the right side to keep the Panthers ahead, 16-12.
Continuing to gain on three- to four-point runs, back-to-back kills from Lalonde kept High Point ahead 23-18. Lamar managed to connect on four points and put pressure on the Panthers by closing the set to 23-22. Following a timeout to settle and regroup, Bukovcan and Lalonde hammered down hits to give HPU the first set win, 25-22.
In the opening set, the middle attack from Bukovcan and Freeland made an early statement, each concluding the set with five kills apiece, hitting over .500 combined. This gave HPU the confidence to continue setting the middle throughout the match as the Cardinals struggled to defend it.
In set two, the Panthers found their rhythm and rolled through the set, leading 15-6 at the media timeout. Kea Whillock secured the 15th point after serving over her fourth ace of the day. Bukovcan kept HPU ahead with a strong lead after putting down two kills to make it 18-12. Freeland and Remy Catojo put up a block and gave the Panthers their 20th point with an eight-point lead.
Lamar chipped away and made moves in the final points of the set, keeping it interesting and closing the set to 23-20. HPU secured the final two points and won the set 25-21. Bukovcan had reached double-digit kills by the end of set two.
HPU continued to dominate in the third set, taking a 15-9 lead after gaining five straight points from all areas of the attack. The Panthers had another four-point run to take a larger lead at 21-13. Boothe put down her third kill of the match and made it 23-15. Freeland and Keric secured the final points to give HPU the 3-0 sweep with a 25-16 win.
As a team, HPU hit .318 while collecting 46 digs and seven aces. Whillock finished with 13 digs and five aces herself and Catojo contributed 36 assists. Bukovcan and Catojo combined for nine blocks.
Up next: High Point returns to Liberty Arena on Sunday, Sept. 6 to play in the second game of the Liberty Mountain Madness against Liberty University at 2 p.m.
#GoHPU
