VOLLEYBALL SAVES ITS BEST PERFORMANCE FOR LAST IN SWEEP OF UNC ASHEVILLE

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. – Behind a season-best .387 attack clip, the Radford volleyball team recorded its 11th sweep of the season with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-8, 25-12) decision over visiting UNC Asheville on Senior Day Saturday evening inside the Dedmon Center.

Rachel Wiechecki and Yacine Meyer put down nine kills apiece to lead the Highlanders' attack. In addition to Jena Braden handing out 27 assists, Katelyn Meeks and Meyer anchored the backline with 13 and 10 digs, respectively.

Holly Shelton roped 10 kills to lead the Bulldogs (11-19, 7-7 Big South), offensively. Katie Davis assisted on 15 attacks, while Rachel Wells accumulated 11 digs.

A Meyer kill got the day started and a few rallies later, Radford (16-15, 6-8 Big South) established a 4-1 lead. The hosts extended their advantage to 13-7 after a Meeks ace to prompt a UNCA timeout. The Highlanders stretched their lead to 20-12 after a rocket from Emma Deininger. From there, RU outscored the Bulldogs 5-3 to take the opening frame, 25-15. The first set went to the Highlanders thanks to a .414 attack percentage, with Meyer hitting 80 percent with four kills in the frame.

Wiechecki served eight-straight times in the second stanza, featuring four aces, to produce a 16-4 advantage. The huge lead allowed Radford to cruise in for the 25-8 victory in set two. The Highlanders hit a season-high 56.5 percent in the brief stanza, with Meyer leading the way with four kills.

Meyer initiated a 6-0 run to open the third frame and the Highlanders stretched the lead to 9-1 to force a Bulldog timeout. RU continued its relentless offensive pressure and after back-to-back Wiechecki kills, the hosts led 21-8. The Highlanders traded points the rest of the way to prevail, 25-12. Wiechecki blasted four kills to lead the attack in the final frame.

With the win, Radford claims its third victory in the last four outings and finishes seventh in the regular season standings. The Highlanders are paired against Coastal Carolina in the quarterfinals of the Big South Volleyball Tournament, Thursday, Nov. 15, at 5:00 p.m. at Paul Porter Arena on the campus of Gardner-Webb University. The complete bracket of next week's tournament can be viewed here.

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