VOLLEYBALL WINS HOME OPENER IN CONVINCING FASHION

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. – Behind Rachel Wiechecki's third double-double this season, Radford volleyball swept St. Francis (Pa.) 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-19) in the nightcap of the Highlander Invitational.

The sophomore from Wilmington, Del. recorded her 10th career double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs for RU (3-2). Fellow sophomore Emma Deininger also blistered the Dedmon Center court with 11 kills on 18 attempts for a career-high .611 attack percentage.

Jena Braden (18) and Christine Beckham (11) combined for 29 assists on the evening, while Nicole Lambert and Jesse Miedema posted four blocks each at the net.

Lauren Wingard registered seven kills on 16 attempts for a .312 clip to lead the Red Flash (1-3). Kierstin Kiser dished out 16 assists in the losing effort.

Three straight Highlander points opened the first frame. St. Francis was able to put a run together allowing the visitors to go ahead, 12-10. A Deininger kill sparked a 10-4 spurt that pushed the Highlanders ahead, 20-16. The Red Flash won the next two points to pull within two, but Radford claimed five of the final six points to reign supreme in the first set, 25-19.

SFU showed resiliency to begin the second game, winning the first four points. Trailing 9-5, the Highlanders rattled off five straight points to take their first lead of the set. The Red Flash answered and restored their lead to three at 18-15. RU roared back by putting together a season-best 7-0 run to reclaim the lead, 22-18.

The visitors got within one, 22-21, but a Miedema kill, a Lambert ace and a Wingard attack error ended the threat and gave Radford the 25-21 win in the second game.

Racing out to a 5-0 lead, the Highlanders were determined to chart their second sweep of the season. RU extended the advantage to 9-2 before the Red Flash won the next four points. Eventually, SFU trimmed its deficit to 14-12, but the Highlanders reeled off three straight points to cushion the lead to five at 17-12.

The Red Flash made one last push, cutting the Radford advantage to 20-17. A Deininger kill on the next exchange ignited a 5-2 match-clinching run to win the set, 25-19.

The Highlanders will be first to play on the second day of the Highlanders' home tournament. Radford squares off against The Citadel at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. The Bulldogs (0-4) were blanked by Murray State in the first match of the tournament.

RU and the Racers (1-3) will play in the finale tomorrow night, which is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.

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