CSU Falls 3-1 to High Point in Big South Action

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern’s five match win streak came to an end vs. the High Point Panthers in a 3-1 loss (25-23, 25-20, 25-27, 25-22) Friday, at the CSU Field House.  There were a total of 47 ties and 25 lead changes in the back in forth match, but the Bucs couldn’t come out on top in losses by two, three and five points.  CSU dropped to 16-15 overall with a 6-9 mark in the conference while HPU improved to 17-16 and 6-10 in the Big South.

Amanda Hill managed a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs, to go along with four blocks.  Both Amberle Trinder and Cori Holeman had solid efforts with nine kills and four blocks each.  Sam Sasan also chipped in with 34 assists, seven kills and seven digs.  For the Panthers, Stephanie Wallin led all players with 22 kills, while Holly Fong contributed 58 assists and 19 digs.

HPU went on to 3-1 to start the opening set, but CSU responded with four unanswered points to take a 5-3 lead, thanks to a kill by Hill.  The Panthers took their turn for a run, as they strung together six out of the next seven points, going up 9-6 in the process.  Things were then even up at the 9-9 mark and out to a 12-12 score.  From there HPU established a late lead, going up 19-14.  The Bucs were not out of it yet however, battling all the way back, using a 7-2 run to tie it again at 21 apiece.  After a 22-22 tie, the Panthers managed a service ace and a pair of kills from Wallin to seal a 25-23 win.

The second set was just as close to start, with 10 ties and six lead changes in the early play.  CSU took a 3-1 lead to start the set and extended the lead to 5-2 on a Trinder kill.  HPU tied things quickly at six all, with three consecutive ties to follow.  Both teams managed brief runs, with the Panthers going on top 12-9 and the Bucs coming back with a 14-13 advantage.  After another tie at the 16-16 mark, the Panthers put it out of reach with a 3-0 burst before taking their biggest lead of the set with a 25-20 win.

CSU simply refused to be eliminated in the third set, grinding out a two point win to extend the match.  The Bucs had another 3-1 early lead, thanks to back-to-back aces from Tricia Rodl.  As par for the match, several ties would ensue, out to a 12-12 deadlock.  A 3-0 run for HPU gave them their biggest lead of the set, but CSU responded with a 7-3 run to go on top 20-19.  In danger of a sweep down 23-21, the Bucs scored three unanswered before kills from Trinder and Emily Libertowski made it a 27-25 win.

CSU came up just short in the fourth set, with another close loss in front of their home crowd.  Both teams traded every point out to a 5-5 score, where the Panthers used a 3-0 run to go up 8-5.  Another Trinder kill brought the Bucs back to a 9-9 tie, but HPU would play from ahead until things were even at 16-16.  It looked like a possible fifth set was in the works, when CSU went up 22-21 after a Panther miscue.  That would be the last point they would manage however, as HPU closed out another set for a 25-22 win.

CSU will look to bounce back tomorrow night on senior night, when they play host to the Liberty Flames at 6 p.m.  High Point completes their regular season with the win and will wait for the Big South Tourney, which starts Thursday, November 19, in Radford, Va.