WIECHECKI’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE IGNITES VOLLEYBALL TO SEASON-OPENING VICTORY

BOX SCORE BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y. – Sophomore Rachel Wiechecki notched her eighth career double-double with 16 kills and 14 digs to lead the Radford volleyball team to a 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-13, 25-19) win over New Jersey Institute of Technology on Friday evening in the Highlanders' season opener.

Jesse Miedema posted a team-high attack percentage of .400 with eight kills, while Emma Deininger hit at a .333 clip with seven kills, to go along with seven blocks. Making her first appearance in a Radford uniform, Cheyanne James was one kill shy of a double-double after her 9-kill, 12-dig performance.

Jena Braden dished out a team-high 18 helpers, while Christine Beckham had 11 assists for the Highlanders (1-0).

Janet Snell (10) was the lone NJIT Highlander to reach double digits in kills, while Renata Pandolfo recorded a team-high 13 digs.

Radford allowed NJIT (0-2) to hit at a .314 clip in the first game. After Wiechecki put down a kill to tie the game at 19, NJIT went on a 4-0 spurt that provided enough separation for the home side to win the first game.

Tied 6-6 in the second game, a Camilla Tinari service error sparked a 13-3 run for the Highlanders, which allowed Radford to go on to square the match at one game apiece. RU hit .296 in the second frame, while holding NJIT to a .098 ledger.

Trailing 3-1 in the third stanza, the Highlanders scored the next six points to take a 7-3 advantage early on. After a Deininger kill made the score 13-9, Radford closed the game on a 12-4 run to go ahead 2-1 in the match. The Highlanders attacked at a match-high .345 percentage, while keeping NJIT at a dismal .000 mark.

A tightly contested fourth game was quickly blown open when a Miedema attack found the floor to ignite a 10-0 surge, putting Radford ahead 15-5. NJIT got within 21-16, but the Highlanders slammed the door by claiming four of the next seven points to win the match.

Radford is currently facing tournament host St. Francis (N.Y.) in the last game of opening day action at the SFC Terrier Invitational.

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