LEWISBURG, Pa. – Radford concluded its 2009 tournament slate with 3-1 victories over host Bucknell and Delaware State on the final day of the Bucknell Volleyball Invitational Saturday afternoon at Davis Gym.

With its victories, the Highlanders improve to 9-6 overall.

MATCH ONE RECAP
BOX SCORE

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- After dropping the opening game by a 25-10 margin, Radford rebounded to defeat Bucknell 3-1 (10-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19) on day two of the Bucknell Volleyball Invitational Saturday afternoon at Davis Gym.

Junior Laura Waddell (Lynchburg, Va. / E.C. Glass) and freshman Mariah Nussbaum (Dayton, Ohio / Chaminade Julienne) led the way for the Highlanders with 10 kills each, while Kiley Kent (Indianapolis, Ind. / Warren Central) set up a match-high 37 kills and Katelyn Meeks (Richmond, Va. / Mills Godwin) finished with 13 digs.

Sophomore Carly Fleming (Manassas, Va. / Osbourn Park) was also impressive for Radford contributing eight kills on just 14 attempts for a .571 hitting percentage.

Radford shook off its sluggish start with 17 kills and a .353 attack percentage in the second game to even the match 1-1 at the break.

In game three, the Highlanders connected on 37 percent (12 kills) of their swings and added three more service aces to grab a two games to one lead. Along with leading from start to finish in the third, Radford went on a small run midway through the frame and didn't allow Bucknell closer than three points the rest of the way.

Tied 13-13 in the fourth game, the Highlanders broke the deadlock with a 5-1 run highlighted by three straight kills to take an 18-14 advantage. Bucknell responded with a 5-2 flurry of its own to cut the deficit to one, 20-19, but Radford reeled off five unanswered to secure the triumph.

After finishing the opener with a .000 hitting percentage (7 kills, 7 errors), the Highlanders outhit Bucknell .261 to .192.

To go along with its impressive .360 attack percentage over the last three games, Radford concluded its second match in as many days with six total blocks.

Bucknell placed three players in double figures led by Kaitlin Segal's 16 kills.

GAME TWO RECAP
BOX SCORE

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Fresh off her 10 kill performance in the Highlanders' come-from-behind victory over Bucknell, junior Laura Waddell (Lynchburg, Va. / E.C. Glass) recorded her first double-double (13 kills, 10 digs) of the season to lead Radford to a 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-18, 25-22) victory over Delaware State on the final day of the Bucknell Invitational.

As a team, Radford finished with 11 total blocks, including 3.5 from all-tournament selection Mariah Nussbaum (Dayton, Ohio / Chaminade Julienne), who also added five kills. Nussbaum was joined by fellow Highlander Kiley Kent (Indianapolis, Ind. / Warren Central) on the on the all-tournament squad thanks to another 37 assists against the Hornets.

Sophomore Katelyn Meeks (Richmond, Va. / Mills Godwin) turned in another impressive performance defensively for Radford with a season-high 25 digs, her third 20-dig effort of the campaign.

Emily Hayes (Barlett, Ill. / Bartlett) and Lauren Clary (Roanoke, Va. / Cave Spring) also contributed to the Highlanders' balanced attack with nine and eight kills, respectively.

Clinging to a three point lead in the opener, Radford closed game one on a 12-5 run capped off by a Waddell kill to take a 1-0 advantage in convincing fashion, 25-15.

After Delaware State scored five of the last seven points in the second to even the match, the Highlanders responded with a 25-18 victory in game three, highlighted by eight unanswered to close the stanza.

Trailing 11-7 in game four, Radford went on a 10-5 streak and never relinquished the lead en route to a 25-22 win.

Cassandra Joyner paced the Hornets and led all players with 15 kills and .433 hitting percentage.

Radford will enjoy a six-day break before entertaining UNC Asheville in its Big South opener Friday, Sept. 25 at the Dedmon Center.

2009 Bucknell Invitational All-Tournament Team
Kiley Kent - Radford
Mariah Nussbaum - Radford
Hannah Curtis - Rutgers
Emma Chrystal - Rutgers
Martina Ferrari - DSU
Cassandra Joyner - DSU
Ragin Jackson - Bucknell
Allison Gittings - Bucknell