VOLLEYBALL FENDS OFF RUNNIN’ BULLDOGS IN FOUR SETS

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BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Radford had four players record double-figure kills en route to its 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 27-25) victory over Gardner-Webb in Big South volleyball action Friday night at Paul Porter Arena.

With the win, the Highlanders move to 21-9 overall and 10-3 in conference. Also, RU keeps its hopes alive of capturing the program's eighth Big South regular season championship. Because Coastal Carolina also won tonight, the two squads remain tied atop the league standings. If both teams win tomorrow, they will be co-champions, but the Chanticleers will earn the No. 1 seed for next week's conference tournament based on their 3-2 win over Radford earlier this season. The Highlanders reach double-digit wins in league play for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2001.

"This place [Paul Porter Arena] is such a tough environment to play in and win," head coach Marci Jenkins said. "The kids hung tough and stayed the course when Gardner-Webb made its charge. I am incredibly proud of our team."

Behind her conference-leading 17^th double-double, Rachel Wiechecki continued to dominate. The junior outside hitter provided 21 kills and a career-high 24 digs, along with two aces and one block. It was her second 20-20 match of the season, with the other one also coming against Gardner-Webb.

Jena Braden dished out a season-high-tying 55 assists to accompany her 10 digs. The junior setter also snuck over a career-high five kills on seven attempts. In addition to Braden's 12^th double-double of the season, Cheyanne James recorded her 11^th on the year with 11 kills and 12 digs. Jesse Miedema hit .500 to match her career high of 13 kills.

Also matching her career high in kills was Emma Deininger, who smashed 14 to go along with her team-best five blocks. Aiding the defensive efforts on the back row were Kelby Jackson (18 digs) and Emma Wroblicky (11 digs).

Erin Anderson stood out for the Runnin' Bulldogs (15-16, 6-7 Big South), tallying 18 kills, 20 digs, two aces and two blocks. Brianna Starr contributed 12 kills and 16 digs, and Tyra Montour charted 10 kills. Anna Pashkova accumulated a match-high 28 digs, while Heather Feldman handed out 41 helpers and 10 digs.

Radford erased a 3-0 deficit in the beginning stages of the first set by reeling off six straight points. Following a solo rejection by Savannah Cantrell, the Highlanders stretched their lead to 20-14, which prompted a Gardner-Webb timeout. The Runnin' Bulldogs fought off three set points before Deininger sent down a rocket to seize a 25-22 victory in the opening frame.

Three attack errors by the hosts and two Deininger kills pushed RU in front, 5-0, in the second stanza. After the Highlanders expanded their margin to as many as eight, Gardner-Webb mounted a charge and cut their disadvantage to 20-18. Radford was up to the task as Miedema and Wiechecki combined for the necessary points down the stretch to clinch a 25-19 win.

Already ahead, 23-21, Braden sent over a winner that earned the Highlanders their first match point. Anderson got the hot hand, however, unleashing three straight kills to tie the score at 24. The Runnin' Bulldogs continued their rally by forcing two attack errors, which gave them a 26-24 triumph and sent the match to a fourth frame.

Tied at 10, Cantrell delivered once again, but this time it was her offensive skills doing the work. Her kill off a Braden assist engineered a 7-0 run that vaulted Radford on top, 17-10. Gardner-Webb countered with a 10-3 surge to tie the score at 20. Still tied at 25, Miedema and Megan McKenzie combined for the final two points to capture a 27-25 victory.

The Highlanders travel to UNC Asheville for Saturday's regular season finale at 2 p.m. inside the Justice Center.

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