VOLLEYBALL RALLIES FOR FIVE-SET VICTORY OVER EAGLES

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DURHAM, N.C. – After falling behind 2-0, the Radford volleyball team prevailed in the third-fifth sets to outlast N.C. Central, 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-7, 15-11), Tuesday night at McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium in its final nonconference match of the season.

Recording her 26^th career double-double and third in the previous four outings, Rachel Wiechecki uncorked a team-best 14 kills in addition to 15 digs in pacing the Highlanders (12-6), who are off to their best start since 2001.

Thanks to her offensive production tonight, the junior ascended to third all-time in career kills with 727, passing Megan McWhorter and Laura Waddell. In addition, Wiechecki moved into eight all-time in career digs with 697.

Also charting a double-double was Cheyanne James, who finished with 12 kills and 12 digs. Emma Deininger pounded 13 kills, while Jena Braden tallied a match-high 40 assists.

Anchoring the defense with her match-high 19 digs was Kelby Jackson. Megan Short contributed a season-high-tying six blocks, while Deininger and James chipped in five each.

Kalin Russell guided the Eagles (0-18) with 14 kills, nine digs and a match-high seven blocks. Da'sha Brown and Ashley McCarthy contributed 10 kills apiece, while Brown also dug the ball 14 times. Alice Genna was credited with 36 assists and 11 digs, while Kelsey Murphy totaled a team-best 15 digs.

NCCU became the Highlanders' seventh opponent this season to hit under .100 on the attack. Radford concluded the match with a .210 attack efficiency.

Despite four kills from Jordan Watson in the opening frame, the Highlanders could not recover from an early deficit as NCCU won, 25-23. After scoring the first three points, the hosts extended their advantage to as many as seven before RU made a charge. Watson's fourth kill of the frame trimmed the Highlanders' disadvantage to 22-19. An Emma Wroblicky ace and Wiechecki blast moments later set the score at 24-23. However, Brown came through for the Eagles to hold on for the victory.

Like the first frame, NCCU used an early edge to establish momentum. Already ahead 9-3, the Eagles expanded their lead to 20-9 following a Russell rocket. They earned set point at 24-17, but Radford had other plans. Short catapulted a Braden assist that ignited a 4-0 rally to close the gap to 24-21. As she did in the first frame, Brown clinched the win for NCCU on the next point to give the hosts a 2-0 favor at intermission.

Out of break, Radford made its move. Braden's superior serving fueled the Highlanders' early 6-1 advantage. After the Eagles dwindled their deficit to 19-17, RU countered with six of the next seven points to secure the 25-18 decision.

Tied at 5 in the fourth frame, the Highlanders embarked on a 16-0 surge in establishing a 21-5 lead. NCCU scored two of the next three points, before Braden answered by dropping in two winners for a 25-7 triumph.

Jesse Miedema, who registered a career-high 14 kills against the Eagles last season, thrashed a kill that capped a 5-2 streak to open the decisive fifth stanza. NCCU did not go away as the squad regained the lead at 10-8 behind an 8-3 rally. Still trailing at 11-10, Radford clinched the match by using a 5-0 spurt en route to the 15-11 triumph. With the win, the Highlanders even their mark in five-set matches to 3-3.

Now that nonconference play is in the rearview mirror, Radford turns its attention back to Big South action. Up first is a Friday, Oct. 4 match with UNC Asheville at 7 p.m. inside the Dedmon Center. RU won both matches against the Bulldogs in sweeping fashion last season.

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