HIGHLANDERS DROP BIG SOUTH OPENER TO LIBERTY, 3-0

BOX SCORE LYNCHBURG, Va. – Despite out-hitting its opponent in two of the three sets, the Radford volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-27, 15-25, 22-25) to Liberty in the Big South opener for both squads on Friday night inside the Vines Center. The Lady Flames improve to 10-4 overall and 1-0 in league play. The Highlanders drop to 8-8 on the season, 0-1 in the Big South.

Emily Carlin put down 11 kills and added 10 digs to lead the Radford attack. Cheyanne James contributed eight kills and Katelyn Meeks, the Big South Co-Defensive Player of the Week, chipped in 13 digs. Yacine Meyer also charted double-figure digs with 10. Christine Beckham dished out 20 assists, while Jena Braden tossed out 12.

Caroline Douglas and Ansley Gebben were credited with 13 and 12 kills, respectively, for Liberty. Jade Craycraft put up a match-high 31 assists, while Gabrielle Shipe recorded a match-high 18 digs.

The Highlanders scored the first three points of the match before Liberty came back to take the lead at 7-6. With the first frame tied at 17, the Lady Flames went on a 4-1 run to go ahead, 21-18.

Following a Radford timeout, Liberty expanded its lead to 23-19, but two straight points by RU got the visitors to within two of the lead. A James kill and a bad set by Craycraft allowed for the Highlanders to tie the set at 24. Douglas and James exchanged kills before Gebben put down back-to-back winners for her team to take the first set, 27-25.

The Lady Flames raced out to a 6-0 lead in the second stanza. The early deficit ended up dooming RU as the hosts claimed a 2-0 lead in the match after the 25-15 victory.

With the score tied at 6 in the third set, Liberty produced an 8-3 rally to take a 14-9 advantage. Kills by Carlin, Rachel Fertitta and Jesse Miedema, and a block by Miedema and Beckham trimmed the Highlander deficit to 14-13.

Radford eventually tied the game at 15 thanks to a Meeks ace, but the Lady Flames scored the next three points to reclaim the lead, 18-15. After a Douglas kill put Liberty ahead by four, 22-18, the Highlanders reeled off four straight points to tie the set. However, two Radford errors and a Craycraft kill gave the Lady Flames the 25-22 match-clinching victory.

The Highlanders step out of conference to play N.C. Central on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The matchup with the Eagles is slated for 7:00 p.m. inside the Dedmon Center.

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