TWO SOUTH CAROLINA SHOWDOWNS ON TAP FOR VOLLEYBALL

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LIVE STATS (WINTHROP) | LIVE VIDEO (WINTHROP) | LIVE STATS (PC)

RADFORD, Va. – After splitting with two of the Big South's South Carolina institutions last weekend, the Radford volleyball team heads to the Palmetto State to clash with the other two as the Highlanders visit Winthrop, Friday at 7 p.m., and Presbyterian College, Saturday at 6 p.m.

WINTHROP SERIES AT A GLANCE
The 45^th meeting all-time between the Eagles (11-10, 2-5 Big South) and Radford (16-8, 5-2 Big South) will take place Friday inside Winthrop Coliseum. Although RU is ahead in the series, 25-19, the program is seeking its first victory in Rock Hill since 2001 (a span of 14 matches). Winthrop is 7-2 at home this season.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Irene Ojukwu and Alina Sopizhuk lead the attack with 3.29 and 3.05 kills per set, respectively. In terms of Big South rankings, Ojukwu and Sopizhuk are fourth and seventh, respectively, in that category. Jessie Vicic tosses out 11.37 assists per set, which is tops in the league.

Maria Volstad anchors the defense with 2.96 digs a game, while Annika Rigterink and Rachel Lenz average 1.38 and 1.02 blocks per frame.

As a team, Winthrop leads the conference in assists per set (12.26) and kills per set (13.09), while ranking fourth in hitting percentage (.197), opponent hitting percentage (.189) and blocks per set (2.13).

PC SERIES AT A GLANCE
Saturday's encounter will mark the 11^th all-time meeting between the Blue Hose and Radford, and perhaps the biggest meeting of the series. PC (7-15, 5-2 Big South), who enters this weekend tied with the Highlanders for first place in the league standings, has a 7-3 edge in the series. Before playing Radford, the Blue Hose entertain a surging Liberty on Friday night inside the Templeton Center.

SCOUTING THE BLUE HOSE
Rachel Hall (2.77 kills per set) and Andrea Barman (2.51) fuel the offense, which ranks last in the Big South in hitting percentage (.141) and ninth in kills per set (11.33). Ashtin Frank has charted 751 assists this season, while Mary Trimpe has recorded 39 aces.

Trimpe also defends the Blue Hose back row with her Big South-leading 5.62 digs per set. In addition, the reigning Big South Defensive Player of the Week ranks seventh nationally for this category.

SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS
Big South Player of the Week Rachel Wiechecki (316), Cheyanne James (241) and Jordan Watson (219) pace the Highlanders offensively. Wiechecki has racked up a conference-best 41 aces, in addition to ranking second in kills per set (3.43) and eighth in digs per set (3.34). She also leads the league with her 13 double-doubles.

Jena Braden guides the team in assists having registered 712 so far this year. Emma Deininger leads the team in total blocks (95), which is the highest mark in the Big South.

As a team, Radford leads the league in hitting percentage (.248), opponent's hitting percentage (.172) and blocks (218), while ranking second in assists per set (11.78), second in kills per set (12.89) and fourth in aces per set (1.35).

RECORD WATCH
A number of current Highlanders are making their marks on the program's record books. Wiechecki continues to chase the top mark for career kills, which is currently held by Divona Cox who cranked 1,066 kills from 2002-05. The junior's tally sits at 833 entering this weekend. She is also second in career kills per set (2.87), second in double-doubles (30), fourth in aces (103) and sixth in digs (790). Braden is fourth all-time in the assists' department with 1,751, while Rachel Flores is 10^th with 316.

Defensively, Deininger (288) and Miedema (163) are second and seventh, respectively, in total blocks. In addition, Deininger is second in block assists (257), while Miedema is sixth (152). Deininger also knows how to get it done offensively as the junior is eighth all-time in career kills with 600.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders remain on the road for a Commonwealth clash with Liberty on Friday, Nov. 1. First serve is set for 7 p.m. inside the Vines Center.

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