RADFORD, Va. – Behind a program-record 47.1 attack percentage (rally scoring era), Radford swept North Carolina A&T (25-9, 25-14, 25-7) in a nonconference volleyball match Friday night inside the Dedmon Center. It was the second of two matches played on day one of the Highlander Invitational.
 
"I thought it was a good start to the season," said head coach Marci Jenkins. "We served tough and passed well, which always makes life easier."
 
The offense was clicking on all cylinders as the Highlanders (1-0) unleashed 35 kills on 68 attempts. Ironically, the previous program-best team attack percentage (46.5) came against N.C. A&T two seasons ago.
 
Cheyanne James led all attackers with 11 kills on 20 attempts for a 45 percent clip. Emma Deininger (seven kills), Savannah Cantrell (seven kills) and Rachel Wiechecki (six kills) all hit above 50 percent for the contest.
 
Wiechecki led the defensive efforts for Radford with a match-high 14 digs. Jena Braden handed out a match-high 17 assists, while Rachel Flores assisted on 13 attacks.
 
Brooke Stamnes drilled a team-best five kills for the Aggies (0-1), while Aleena McDaniel accumulated nine digs. Liz Martino led the visitors in the assist department with nine helpers.
 
After dropping the match's first point to N.C. A&T, Cantrell ignited an 8-0 surge to push the Highlanders ahead for good. The junior from Jacksonville Beach, Fla. rocketed four kills in the opening frame to guide RU to the 25-9 triumph.
 
Trailing 4-2 in the second stanza, a Wiechecki winner launched a 14-2 run that gave the hosts momentum to grab a 2-0 advantage heading into intermission. Deininger was sensational in the frame, dropping six kills on eight attempts to lead the way.
 
Radford built a 14-5 lead out of the break, forcing an Aggies' timeout. From there, James pounded four of her set-high five kills to clinch the match with a 25-7 decision in the third frame.
 
Four matches are on tap for day two of the Highlander Invitational. RU collides with Eastern Kentucky, a 3-2 winner over Kennesaw State in the first match Friday, at 10:30 a.m. The Highlanders will play in the tournament finale against KSU at 5:30 p.m. Live stats will be provided for Saturday's four matches here.