UNC ASHEVILLE, GARDNER-WEBB TO BATTLE VOLLEYBALL THIS WEEKEND

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Site: Radford, Va. | Dedmon Center
Series vs. UNCA: Radford trails 25-23
Series vs. GWU: Radford leads 7-3
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RADFORD, Va. – With the nonconference season behind the Radford volleyball team, the squad dives back into Big South action as the Highlanders host UNC Asheville (Friday – 7 p.m.) and Gardner-Webb (Saturday – 4 p.m.).

UNCA SERIES AT A GLANCE
Despite taking both matches from the Bulldogs last season, Radford trails the all-time series, 25-23. In addition, the Highlanders have won three consecutive encounters with Asheville.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Entering the weekend in third place right behind RU in the league standings, the Bulldogs are 10-6 overall and 1-0 in conference competition. UNCA opened its Big South slate with a 3-1 triumph over Gardner-Webb last Friday.

Christine Lakatos paces the Bulldogs' attack at 3.51 kills per set (second in the league), while Anna Moore contributes 3.07 kills per set. Katie Davis averages 10.31 assists per set (second in Big South). Rachel Wells anchors the defense with 5.19 digs per set (fourth in the conference), while Moore supplies 1.08 blocks per set (fourth in Big South).

GWU SERIES AT A GLANCE
Ahead 7-3 in the all-time series, Radford split its two contests with the Runnin' Bulldogs in 2012. The Highlanders have won five of the last six meetings between the two sides.

SCOUTING THE RUNNIN' BULLDOGS
Erin Anderson puts down 2.90 kills per set to lead Gardner-Webb (7-10). Emily Holte registers 2.53 kills per set, while Heather Feldman tops the assists' category with 602. Defensively, Anna Pashkova tallies 4.74 digs per frame (fifth in league).

SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS
Radford enters the match with a 12-6 record following its 3-2 road victory over N.C. Central Tuesday. Rachel Wiechecki (210) and Jordan Watson (200) pace the Highlanders offensively. Their 3.18 and 3.13 kills per set rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Big South. In addition, Wiechecki has racked up a conference-best 33 aces.

Jena Braden leads the team in assists having registered 499 so far this year. Emma Deininger leads the team in total blocks (73), which is the highest mark in the Big South.

As a team, Radford leads the league in hitting percentage (.249), opponent's hitting percentage (.165) and blocks (172), while ranking second in assists per set (11.72), second in kills per set (12.80) and fourth in aces per set (1.42).

RECORD WATCH
A number of current Highlanders are making their marks on the program's record books. Wiechecki passed Megan McWhorter and Laura Waddell for third all-time in career kills against NCCU. Wiechecki (727) needs 39 more to pass Lindsey Poole for second on the list. The junior is already fourth in kills per set (2.75) and fifth in aces (95). Braden is fourth all-time in the assists' department with 1,538, while Rachel Flores is 10^th with 258.

Defensively, Deininger (266) and Miedema (157) are fourth and 10th, respectively, in total blocks. In addition, Deininger is third in block assists (237), while Miedema is seventh (146). In Radford's last outing, Wiechecki vaulted two spots to eighth place in career digs with 697.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders hit the road for the first time in conference play next weekend when they travel to High Point and Campbell.

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