HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University volleyball head coach Ryan Meek has announced the Panthers' 2022 fall schedule.

It's here! ??????"It will be an exciting year for Panther volleyball!" -@HPUVBCoach We couldn't agree more, Coach!#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/ri1Wl8IWCF

— HPU Volleyball (@HPUVB) June 15, 2022

"Building a schedule is always one of the most time-consuming parts of the job. Balancing RPI needs as well as the best competition we can find to prepare our team takes time and effort and with this schedule we feel like we've hit on a great blend. We have fantastic RPI opportunities as well as home events which should get the Millis Center faithful fired up about this Fall," said Meek.

The 2022 schedule features matchups with defending NCAA National Champion Wisconsin, as well as Final Four participant Pittsburgh. Six other teams who qualified for the 2021 NCAA Tournament are also featured on the schedule, including Campbell, Fairfield, Howard, Marquette, Sacred Heart, and Texas.

"Our fans are going to get to see a 2021 Final Four participant in High Point when Pitt comes to Millis on Sunday, October 2. We've played at Pitt twice in the past few years and they were gracious enough to return this year. Seeing how they have continued to rise in the national rankings should give our players the confidence that there is no limit to the ascent if you do things the right way. Very rarely does a mid-major program like us get to host a Power 5 program, let alone a Final Four team, so we're excited for the opportunity to pack Millis for this match."

The home match against Pitt marks the first Power 5 opponent the Panthers have met in the Millis Center since November 2, 2019, when HPU played host to Florida State. High Point will also host James Madison on September 14^th as their only other non-conference opponent on the home slate as their first match in the Millis Center.

HPU also faces top-tier talent on the road, traveling to Wisconsin for matches with Wisconsin and Marquette on September 4^th before meeting Texas in Austin on September 16^th.

"We also have matches at Texas and Wisconsin, two of the perennial top 5 programs in the country and two of the best home court environments in volleyball. Getting used to a raucous environment is something we need if we're going to win big matches on the road and I can't think of two better places to visit or prepare. We also get to take some players home on those trips and that's always fun to see purple in the crowd at these big schools!

We finish non-conference play with a mix of some of the top mid-major programs in the country. We fill our schedule with competitive matches and this year is no exception. Almost every team we play finished in the top 3 of their conferences in 2021. This should prepare us well for Big South Conference play."

Last season, the Panthers won the Big South regular season championship, finishing 15-1 in conference play. Top-seeded High Point fell in five sets in a back-and-forth match at Campbell in the Big South Tournament championship to end the 2021 season. HPU seeks its third straight regular season title and third tournament title.

"The Big South will be tough road again as we try to win our third straight Big South Conference Regular Season title. We play every team twice, home and away, which gives us a chance to play everyone at Millis and travel to every conference team as well. The Big South Tournament comes to Millis in November and we're determined to try to bring back the Big South Tournament trophy to High Point University, as well as the NCAA Tournament berth that comes with it. It will be an exciting year for Panther volleyball!"

#GoHPU

It’s Clipper Magazine Stadium (Lancaster Barnstormers) vs. Haymarket Park (Lincoln Saltdogs) in the finals of the 2022 MLB Partner Leagues Best of the Ballparks vote.

This sets up an Atlantic League/American Association battle in the finals, and a David vs. Goliath story as well. Haymarket Park was our #27 seed and, thanks to upsets elsewhere in the bracket, managed to make it to the finals while only once facing a higher seed. Clipper Magazine Stadium received the most votes in the Final Four round, following bracket competitor Truist Point (High Point Rockers), a bad-luck participant. So we move onto the finals, which run through June 22, midnight C.

We know from marketing stats that a third of our readers work in the baseball industry, so we’re tapping into that collective expertise. And we know from our research that a third of our readers sell to the baseball industry, so that expertise will be valuable as well. The remaining third–fans, media, government–will certainly have a different view on things as well. We can’t wait to see what our readers–whom we consider to be the smartest folks in baseball–say about the best of the ballparks.

Here’s our 2022 ranking of MLB Partner League ballparks. This is an extremely difficult list to seed: This list is a combination of former independent-league ballparks as well as a wide range of former affiliated facilities, ranging from Triple-A to Rookie ball. Honestly, there’s not a lot of difference between many of the ballparks in this competition, and there are plenty of arguments for most of these ballparks deserving a higher rating. Results of last year’s vote also played a large part in our seedings, as well as improvements entering this season. Occupying the top spot is Clipper Magazine Stadium, home of the Lancaster Barnstormers and last year’s champion. We don’t expect the voting to follow our seedings: our readers can be independent, and they share a love of ballparks and the fan experience.

Some things to note. First, you are allowed to vote multiple times, but you can only vote once per day. Second, you don’t need to fill out a full slate: partially filled lineups will count. A running tally of the vote will be presented at the bottom of this page in the form of brackets. Vote below:

Special to the Herald-Tribune

If you care to joust with City Hall, you hopefully search for a spot to park in or around First Street (since the City Hall parking lot is usually full), pass by the Jack Cartlidge statue “Nobody’s Listening” (not exactly a good omen), fill out a brief form and wait your turn to address the City Commission. Good luck.

Prior to 1967, the good fight was conducted in the Hover Arcade at the foot of lower Main Street on the Municipal Pier.

You drove through the signature archway between the two towers onto the pier, slipped into one of the designated spots, and addressed your grievances.

Of all the Sarasota historical buildings reduced to rubble over the years (and there have been many), the Hover Arcade was one of the most iconic.

Its roots extended to the Scot Colony which arrived in December of 1885. As colonist Alex Browning recalled, before the colony had completely broken up, younger members of the group signed on to build a dock into the bay near the site of their landing.

It was January 1886, and, in his memoirs, Browning, then nineteen years old, recalled, “The water was mighty cold, and we all became badly chilled.” He remembered wrestling with the sharpened pine logs, rocking them back and forth into the sand until they settled ever so slowly onto rock. It was the hardest work he had ever done but the young men stuck with it until the dock was completed.

It was a very rudimentary structure but offered a place for boats to tie up so passengers could come ashore without getting wet.

Harry Higel, “Sarasota’s indefatigable booster” who would develop the north end of Sarasota Key as Siesta Key, bought the dock and company store from the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company (sponsors of the Scot Colony) for $1,500 in the late 1890s.

A short time later, he offered it to the town for the same price but was turned down.

When a channel was dredged through Sarasota Bay in 1895, the John Savarese-owned Mistletoe began trips between Tampa and Sarasota, and Higel became his agent here.

Service began in October of 1895 offering trips from Tampa on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, returning to Tampa on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Locals could travel to Tampa and shop in larger department stores for merchandise not available in Sarasota. The steamship also helped grow the nascent fishing industry which had previously been able to offer only dried and salted fish. The Mistletoe carried ice, enabling fresh fish to be exported to Tampa and then distributed throughout the north.

A small restaurant operated by Dave Broadway was located on the north side of the pier and offered “Oysters any style, any time and coffee at Broadway.’” The oysters could be stewed, fried, baked, boiled, smoked and raw – any way you liked.

More Sarasota history

At the end of a long journey, ‘Little Scotland’ was nowhere to be found

In a 1967 interview with the Sarasota Herald, Broadway, then 85, recalled those years with fondness, noting that he could buy a barrel of oysters for $1.25, which, shucked, would net three gallons of oysters.

Enter the Hover brothers, Dr. William, who said that he would not present a bill for his services if it would render the patient or his family a hardship, Oscar, and Frank who came each winter with their families to Sarasota from Lima, Ohio. The group was known as the Hover Colony.

The family purchased the dock from Higel in 1911 for $12,500. They enlarged and improved the pier and added space for a few commercial enterprises.

On Feb. 13, 1913, The Sarasota Times devoted a front-page story to the plans the Hovers had for their proposed bayfront building, a site described as “just about the busiest place in town,” and added “nothing will add more to the appearance of the bayfront ...”

Constructed by the Bird Co. of Tampa, work was completed on the storied arcade in 1913. Reportedly costing $20,000, the neoclassical yellow brick building with its red tile roof was a welcome addition to the downtown section of the small community. The paper said a city many times the size of Sarasota would be proud to have such a beautiful building.

The following year, on July 2, 1914, The Sarasota Times reported that the Lyric Theatre opened in the Hover Arcade. Universal films were to be shown “each night at popular prices” while the following week an orchestra to add excitement to the silent flicks was expected to arrive.

Broadway expanded his business, leasing a section in the new arcade for a popular restaurant/soda fountain/ice cream parlor. After taking in a movie at the Lyric, theatergoers often stopped in on their way home, as did downtowners, and patrons of the Belle Haven Inn, also on the bay, a short walk south.

One of the city’s wants and needs was for a municipal pier and park. But as there was no bayfront property available for sale, they finally decided to purchase the Hover Pier and Hover Arcade for that purpose.

After announcing the city’s need for a “municipal building” at a City Council meeting on Jan. 17, 1917, a resolution was passed to purchase from the Hover brothers the much-improved pier and arcade for $40,000. The council was assured that they would have enough income from the current lessees to pay the interest on the bond that was necessary to raise the money.

Interestingly, the mayor of Sarasota that year was Harry Higel who had tried to sell the council the pier on two previous occasions. Once for the $1,500 it cost him, and a second time for the $5,000 even though he had made paid more than that amount in improvements.

On Feb. 8, 1917, The Sarasota Times announced that City Hall was moved from the Iverson Building to the Hover Arcade and occupied a section of the first floor.

Over the years the unique building and adjacent pier became a city landmark. Locals and tourists drove through the signature archway not only for city business but also to tie up their boats, charter fishing boats or to buy fresh fish when the fishermen arrived with their catches.

For a time, the chamber of commerce had an office on the pier, and during World War II the Enlisted Men’s Service Club was located in one of the buildings at the west end of the pier. Later, a diving board was installed, offering quick entry into the bay.

One city staffer recalled lazy summer days when he could drop a fishing line into the water from his office window.

By the end of the 1950s it was obvious that the quaint building could no longer serve the governmental needs of the burgeoning city. At the end of the decade, U.S. 41 was re-routed on dredge to the west of Gulf Stream Avenue behind the arcade, cutting off the downtown from Sarasota Bay.

Explaining a bond referendum in 1964, the city printed a pamphlet illustrating the needs of the city. In it, the arcade looking the worse for wear was labeled obsolete, an anachronism in a downtown Sarasota “going modern.”There was no movement to save it, not that that would have prevented its destruction, and the old building was demolished in September of 1967.

From attending each other’s backyard birthday parties as toddlers to walking the stage at their high school graduation, five sets graduating twins from Long Island have been classmates since preschool.

The 10 graduating seniors are among 109 students in Mattituck Junior-Senior High School’s class of 2022 who will graduate on June 25 in a traditional indoor ceremony in the high school gymnasium.

“One would suspect if you have five sets of twins in a class, some may have come in at the middle of the journey,” says David Smith, principal at Mattituck Junior-Senior High School, which teaches students in grades 7 through 12. “But this is a group that goes back to the day they started in the schoolhouse in Laurel.

The close-knit teens were 10th graders when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, putting off club activities, sports, and their usual hangouts. Though they saw each other less during this time, they’ve reunited in the 2021-22 school year.

Twins Isabella and Nicolette Cianfrogna and Julienne and Kathryn Schuch live down the road from each other. Their mothers met around the time they were born, and the four girls have been friends ever since.

“They were our first friends ever, and we always used to go on double play dates,” Isabella says. “We were always in the same classes and wore our own matching colors. Jules and I were the pinks, Nicolette and Kate were the blues.”

“Growing up together from the second we have been able to remember has been the greatest thing ever. It’s like having built-in sisters,” Julienne adds. “We always know we’re there for each other.”

All four young women participated in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club throughout high school, helping to educate younger students about the dangers of bullying as well as drug and alcohol use. Though they discuss serious topics, they say it’s been a great way to enjoy their time and bond with other students in the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District, as well as spearhead a mental health awareness initiative this year.

But being twins had its downsides too. The girls say it was easy for other students to compare – or confuse – them with their twin. “I didn’t like dealing with comparisons,” Nicolette says. “I like being my own person.”

As they enter college in the fall, the twins have a new chance to explore their individuality. Julienne will attend High Point University in North Carolina, while her sister, Kathryn, is going to Flagler College in Florida. Isabella will attend Hunter College in Manhattan, and Nicolette will go to Cortland University in upstate New York.

“Basically my whole life, I’ve been with my sister. The longest we’ve been apart is maybe two days,” Isabella says. “I’m going to FaceTime her as much as I can, and visit her.”

The graduating class of 2022 is Smith’s first as principal of the high school; he was previously the assistant principal. He says he’ll remember the students for their “leadership that they showed and how hard they worked with us to restore a lot of the traditions and to bring the energy back to school that Covid kind of hijacked.

“I’m really proud of what they’ve done,” he says. “I’m glad I went through this journey with them, and I’m going to miss them.”

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At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here’s an explanation for

Thinking about moving to Florida? Join the party. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the Sunshine State has ranked in the top spot out of all 50 states for net migration — the number of people moving in versus moving out — for the past five years. With that many people looking for places to call their own, it’s important to arrive with a solid understanding of how to buy a house in Florida.

How to buy a house in Florida: A checklist

Florida covers more than 65,000 square miles, so you’ll need to think about what you’re looking for in a location. Do you want to be close to the Atlantic? The Gulf? Or would you prefer somewhere further inland? Are you after the cosmopolitan energy of Miami, or a calmer, retirement-style vibe? If you aren’t tied to a particular location for work, be sure to look at the entire state to compare a range of lifestyles and price points.

Cost of living

As you think about housing in Florida, be sure to consider how other necessities, like food, transportation and utilities, will affect your monthly budget. Use Bankrate’s Cost of Living Calculator to get a sense of how much money you need to enjoy life in Florida’s major metro areas. The range is wide — for example, the cost of living in Tampa and St. Petersburg is 18 percent lower than it is in Miami.

Best places to live in Florida

There are loads of cities, towns and villages to choose from, but you can start your search with Bankrate’s official best places to live in Florida. From fast-growing Tampa to remote worker–friendly Cape Coral, the top five markets offer a balance of great job opportunities and plenty of relaxing ways to enjoy your off-hours.

Your home buying budget

Florida offers something for just about every affordability level, so pick a spot where your budget can put you within reach of the type of home and neighborhood you want. As a starting point for your budget, aim to spend no more than 28 percent of your monthly income on your housing expenses. This will leave enough to cover other expenses, pay off debts and save for your long-term needs. Use Bankrate’s Housing Affordability Calculator to get a picture of your budget.

Home values

Home prices in Florida are doing exactly what they’ve been doing in most places around the country: rising fast. The median sales price in the state was $410,000 in April 2022, according to Florida Realtors — that’s a 21.8 percent increase over the same time the year before.

However, prices are hyper-localized, so research the specific cities you are considering. In Tallahassee, for example, median home prices are lower — $299,000 — and rising at a slower pace than in places like Naples, where the median sales price is more than $875,000.

Mortgage rates

As they have everywhere, mortgage rates in Florida have risen quite a bit since record lows at the onset of the pandemic. You’ll want to compare multiple lenders to see who can offer you the best deal. Keep in mind that you can find lower mortgage rates with shorter loan terms; 15-year mortgages, for example, have lower rates than 30-year mortgages.

The length of time isn’t the only factor that impacts your mortgage rate. How much you need to borrow is important, too. In most places, your loan will be considered a jumbo loan if you borrow more than $647,200. However, there are exceptions, in especially pricey areas. Be sure to consider loan limits in the area you want to call home. If you cross into jumbo territory, you may need to make a larger down payment, have additional cash reserves and/or pay a higher rate.

How much house can I afford in Florida?

In addition to the considerations that every prospective homeowner must think about in Florida, your unique financial situation will determine whether you should buy a house there. If you are confident that you will stay in Florida for enough time to break even on your closing costs, and you are in good financial condition to score a low mortgage rate, buying a house can be one of the smartest decisions you can make.

First-time homebuyers

If you have never owned a home before (or at least not in the past three years), your status as a first-time homebuyer can put you in the running for some valuable assistance that makes purchasing a home less daunting. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation — also known as Florida Housing — offers a range of first-time homebuyer programs.

Down payment assistance

Worried about coming up with a down payment to buy a house in Florida? There are also plenty of down payment assistance sources that can help you manage that big expense. And if you qualify as a low- or moderate-income borrower, there are also programs specifically designed to put home ownership closer to your reach.

Down payment calculator

The size of your down payment has major consequences: How much money you need to borrow, how much you’ll pay each month, how much interest you’ll pay over the lifetime of the loan. However, you don’t have to make a huge down payment. With good credit, you might be able to put down just 3 percent on a conventional loan or 3.5 percent on an FHA loan. Use Bankrate’s Down Payment Calculator to see how different amounts will affect your monthly budget in Florida.

No matter what kind of Florida home you want to buy, getting preapproved is the most important step. Preapproval will give you a clear picture of how much you can afford to borrow, and it can also help demonstrate to sellers that your offer is serious.

The mortgage offer you’ll receive from one lender will not be identical to what you’ll see from another. Banks, credit unions and mortgage companies all have different criteria that impact the terms they can offer borrowers. Start by considering the best mortgage lenders in Florida, and make sure to expand your search to include community banks in your area. Compare multiple offers to make sure you are getting the best deal.

A real estate agent is your trusted guide through the home buying process. Agents can help you understand the market, point you toward properties that meet your needs and prepare a competitive offer when you’re ready to make a move. Don’t just settle on the first one you meet. Ask around for referrals from friends or family members, and take a look at reviews from other borrowers about their experiences with agents you’re considering. Interview several, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Once you have a preapproval letter in hand and a savvy agent by your side, it’s time to get into the real fun: finding your new home. Online searching can give you a sense of what’s available in different neighborhoods and at different price points, but you can count on your real estate agent to know when new properties hit the market. And in Florida, you’ll want to be ready to move fast — properties go quickly in most places here. Your agent can help you understand how other homes in the area have sold so you can put together a competitive offer.

After your offer is accepted, it’s time to make sure that the property won’t wind up causing you loads of headaches and costing you loads of money. Find a home inspector — your agent will likely have some recommendations — to conduct a thorough review of the property. The inspection will identify any major issues with electrical wiring, plumbing, the roof, the HVAC system and other important areas of the property where problems could be hiding.

You will also need to get an appraisal to make sure that you have agreed to pay a reasonable amount for the home. Any lender will require an appraisal to protect their interests: If you default on the loan, the lender needs to know that it can recoup its losses.

The lead-up to closing day includes a lot of waiting and a lot of back-and-forth as your lender reviews your finances. Be responsive, and don’t make any major changes with your financial situation — leaving your job or opening a new credit card, for example. The timeline from your offer to closing day might take up to two months, so be patient. Just before closing you’ll perform a final walk-through, to be sure the property is in the state you expected. And then, be ready to sign a mile-high stack of documents and hand over a big check (certified or cashier’s; personal checks are generally not accepted). Now, take a breath and smile: You own a home in Florida.

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