VOLLEYBALL OPENS 2012 SLATE IN EMPIRE STATE OF MIND

NOW PLAYING: Volleyball season preview

MATCH NOTES
2012 MEDIA GUIDE
FREE LIVE VIDEO vs. St. Francis - Friday (NECfrontrow.com)

RADFORD, Va. – Aiming to carry the momentum established at the end of last year, Radford volleyball begins 2012 competition Friday, August 24, at the SFC Terrier Invitational just outside New York City.

The Highlanders face-off against New Jersey Institute of Technology at 3:30 p.m. before battling host St. Francis (N.Y.) at 6:00 p.m. NCAA Tournament participant Maryland Eastern Shore awaits Radford on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the last game for the Highlanders in the tournament.

HIGHLANDER HIGHS
♦ 2011 was a breakout year for Radford with numerous accolades to show for it. Marci Jenkins was voted Big South Coach of the Year, becoming the fourth Highlander head coach to earn the honor.

♦ Emma Deininger became the third player in program history to be picked Big South Freshman of the Year, while her and fellow freshman Rachel Wiechecki were selected to the Big South All-Freshman Team. Wiechecki was also named to the Big South All-Tournament Team. Along with being named to the All-Conference First Team, Deininger was voted VaSID Rookie of the Year.

♦ The rookie tandem also etched their names in the program record books. Deininger ranks first in block assists, second in total blocks and has the fifth-best attack percentage for an individual season. Wiechecki is fourth all-time in attack attempts, fifth in kills and sixth in points for a single season.

♦ Sophomore Christine Beckham dished out 562 assists in her first year, which ranks 10th on the record charts for an individual season.

SCOUTING THE NJIT HIGHLANDERS
♦ The first match of the 2012 season will feature the “Battle of the Highlanders.” NJIT competes in the six-team Great West Conference, where it finished fourth in the regular season standings a year ago.

♦ The Highlanders return eight players, including five starters off of last season's squad that went 11-18 overall, 3-7 in league play. This is the first meeting between NJIT and Radford.

SCOUTING THE TERRIERS
♦ Tournament host St. Francis (N.Y.) is coming off a 1-31 campaign in 2011. The Terriers return almost everyone from last year and welcome five newcomers.

♦ St. Francis (N.Y.) is a first-time opponent for RU.

SCOUTING THE HAWKS
♦ Radford wraps up the SFC Terrier Invitational against first-time NCAA Tournament participant Maryland Eastern Shore. The defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion had its best season in program history in 2011, finishing 24-7 after losing to eventual national champion UCLA in the first round.

♦ UMES owns a 1-0 advantage in the series after winning the lone meeting with the Highlanders.

Print Friendly Version