BOX SCORE

RADFORD, VA. – Kelsey Benorden finished with a match-high 15 kills and picked 17 digs to lead top-seeded UNC Asheville to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-15) victory over Radford in the first round of the 2009 Big South Volleyball Tournament at the Dedmon Center.

Joining Benorden in double figures for the Bulldogs was Cindi Miller, who found the floor with 10 of her 26 attempts, while Raquel Miotto was one of three UNCA players to hit the 10-dig plateau with 22. UNCA's Rachel Guinane set up 29 of her clubs 43 assists to lead both setters.

Despite the loss, senior Lauren Clary (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) paced the Highlanders with eight kills and 13 digs in her final collegiate match. Katelyn Meeks (Richmond, Va./Mills Godwin) also finished with 13 digs for Radford (12-21).

Trailing 23-17 in the opener, Radford reeled off four unanswered to cut the deficit to two, 23-21. The Bulldogs responded with the last two points to win game one, 25-21.

After the two clubs traded points to find themselves deadlocked at 14-14, UNC Asheville (25-9) closed the second on an 11-5 spurt to take a two games to none lead at the break.

The Bulldogs connected on 16 of their swings in game two, including six kills from Benorden and five from Miller.

In game three, UNCA jumped out to a 16-9 advantage and didn't allow the Highlanders closer than six the rest of the way.

The Bulldogs outhit Radford .185 to .056, including a .333 clip in the final stanza. The Highlanders held a slim 7-6 edge in total blocks.

UNC Asheville will be making its fifth straight semifinal appearance as it will take on No. 4 seed Coastal Carolina at 7 p.m. Friday.