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RADFORD, Va. -- Coming off a seven-match trip away from home and a pair of wins last weekend at the Bucknell Tournament, the Highlanders open their Big South slate with a 7 p.m. match against UNC Asheville this evening at the Dedmon Center.

Radford enters the 40th meeting with the Bulldogs 9-6 on the young season.

The Highlanders lead the all-time series with UNCA, 20-19, after splitting last year's tilts, with the home team winning on each occasion.

For their performances at the Bucknell Volleyball Invitational, where Radford picked up wins over Bucknell and Delaware State, freshman Mariah Nussbaum (Dayton, Ohio / Chaminade Julienne) and junior Kiley Kent (Indianapolis, Ind. / Warren Central) were named to the all-tournament team.

Nussbaum finished the Highlanders' final regular season tournament with 17 kills, 10 total blocks, six service aces and 28.5 points. Kent was just as impressive contributing 15 kills, 92 assists and 21 digs.

As a team, the Highlanders are averaging just under two service aces per game, which ranks second among league leaders behind the Bulldogs.

UNC Asheville comes into tonight's contest with a 12-5 record following a 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 26-24) victory over Gardner-Webb Tuesday.

Lauren Ficker leads the Bulldogs in kills (188), kills per game (3.08), total blocks (34) and total points 218.5.

The Highlanders return to action tomorrow afternoon with a 2 p.m. contest against league foe Gardner-Webb at the Dedmon Center.