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RADFORD ADVANCES TO NCAA TOURNAMENT BY SWEEPING COASTAL FOR TITLE

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CLINTON, S.C. – No. 1 seed Radford rode momentum from the longest set in Big South Volleyball Championship history to down No. 2 seed Coastal Carolina in straight sets (36-34, 25-13, 25-22) at the Templeton Center Sunday afternoon for the Highlanders' fifth league tournament title in program history.
 
With the victory, Radford (25-9) will make its third appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and first since 2000 when the Highlanders battled Colorado State in the first round. The Chanticleers end their season at 19-12, after reaching the league final for the second year in a row.
 
"That first set was championship volleyball at its best," head coach Marci Jenkins said. "It also defines what this team is all about…heart, grit, determination and toughness. I am so proud of this group and our coaching staff."
 
Rachel Wiechecki, who set the single-season kills record (497) at RU during the match, earned MVP honors. The junior tallied her 21st double-double of the season behind 11 kills and 10 digs. All-tournament selection Cheyanne James blistered a match-high 16 kills, including the championship-clinching point, to go along with 11 digs. The sophomore hit .417 en route to her 15th double-double of the season.
 
Radford's third all-tournament honoree, Emma Deininger, owned the net with her match-high six blocks to accompany her 11 kills in the contest. Her .474 attack clip led three Highlanders who hit over .400 for the match. Jesse Miedema knocked down 10 kills, including six during the epic first set, on 18 swings to finish with a .444 hitting percentage.
 
Jena Braden contributed a match-high 40 assists, while Kelby Jackson charted 10 digs for the Highlanders. RU hit .295 for the match, which included a sizzling .317 and .364 in the first and second sets, respectively.
 
Gabriella Horvath posted a double-double for the Chanticleers, drilling 11 kills and tracking down 14 digs. Coastal's defense racked up 60 digs in the three sets, led by Lindsay Gill's match-high 19. Lian Bernett added nine kills and 10 digs for the Chants. Lauren Alejo tossed out 38 assists.
 
After falling behind 10-5 in the first set, Radford rallied to cut its deficit to 12-11. Once the Chants restored their five-point advantage at 18-13, RU responded to tie the frame at 23 following a block assist by Deininger and Wiechecki. From there, the Highlanders fought off seven Coastal set points. Tied at 34 following a James kill, Radford won the next two points off the serve of Deininger to clinch the opener, 36-34.
 
The Highlanders rode their momentum into the second stanza, where they jumped out to a 16-10 lead. Superior serving the rest of the way kept Coastal out of rotation, which fueled Radford's 25-13 set-two victory.
 
Trailing 14-11 in the third set, Deininger took over for the Highlanders by delivering three kills and two blocks over the next five rallies to push RU on top, 16-14. The Chants tied the set for the final time at 21, but James provided a block and an ace to force a Coastal timeout with Radford leading 23-21. After Horvath sent down a rocket for the Chants, Miedema and James answered for RU with the next two points to send the bench into jubilation.
 
The 64-team NCAA Tournament bracket will be released Sunday, Dec. 1, at 9:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU.
 
All-Tournament Team
Rachel Wiechecki, OH, Jr., Radford (Tournament MVP)
Emma Deininger, MB, Jr., Radford
Cheyanne James, OH, So., Radford
Lauren Alejo, S, Sr., Coastal Carolina
Meghan Laffin, OH, Sr., Coastal Carolina
Kristin Heldt, OH, Jr., High Point
Lillie Happel, OH, Sr., Liberty

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