HIGH POINT, N.C. - The UNCW volleyball team fell in its first match of the 2010 season Friday as it suffered a 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-21, 25-17) setback to host High Point in the High Point Volleyball Classic at the Millis Center. It was the season opener for both schools.
"We had some first-match jitters, but once we got past those I thought we played hard and did some good things on the court," said UNCW Head Coach Amy Bambenek, who is entering her second season with the program. We weren't ourselves all game. We had some good comebacks during the match, but once we fought back we were unable to maintain that level of intensity and High Point was able to take advantage."
Senior outside hitter Megan Smith tallied a match-high 19 kills and added 17 digs for the double-double to highlight the Panthers attack while senior outside hitter Audie Gonzalez pitched in eight kills.
Senior libero Julie Hershkowitz posted a team-high 19 digs to lead four High Point players with double-figure digs as Gonzalez chipped in 16 and Breanna Holliday tallied 11. Setter Stephanie Kaminskas dished out a match-best 38 assists
Senior outside hitter Kelli Clear registered a match-high nine kills for UNCW, who was limited to a .006 attack percentage for the match. Junior outside hitter Emily Mohrman chipped in seven kills while senior middle blocker Rachel Caricato and freshman outside hitter Samantha Seifert pitched in six kills apiece.
Junior defensive specialist Delanie Dolan recorded a career-high 20 digs to lead four Seahawks in double figures as Clear pitched in 14, redshirt sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Mallard collected 13 and junior setter Kelsey Bendig finished 11 digs and 11 assists to record the double-double.
"I thought we saw some good things from freshman Samantha Seifert, as well as seniors Rachel Caricato and Kelli Clear," said Bambenek. "We need to get more production from our middles, but I'm confident that will come in time."
UNCW concludes its appearance at the High Point Volleyball Classic Saturday with matches against Appalachian State (11:30 a.m.) and North Carolina A&T (4:30 p.m.).
