DEFENSE FUELS VOLLEYBALL’S 3-1 VICTORY OVER DUKES

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RADFORD, Va. – Behind impressive defense and junior Rachel Wiechecki's 21st career double-double, the Radford volleyball team prevailed 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 25-15) over James Madison Tuesday night inside the Dedmon Center.

"We had a game plan going into the match, which was executed well," head coach Marci Jenkins said. "Our kids have been pretty focused on what we need to do, and we are very proud of them!"

The Highlanders (6-2) held their opposition to .068 on the attack, while hitting .239 themselves. RU also had advantages in kills (57-37) and digs (59-53). Wiechecki hammered 14 kills in addition to a season-high 16 digs. During the match, the Wilmington, Del. native passed Lauren Clary for sixth all-time in career kills. Wiechecki has 615 to her credit. In addition, she served up one ace to slide into sixth place in program history with 81.

Also totaling 14 kills on the night was Big South Freshman of the Week Jordan Watson. Big South Defensive Player of the Week Emma Deininger not only showed her defensive prowess with seven blocks, but the junior also ripped 10 kills in the contest. Jena Braden piled up 55 assists for the match, which is three shy of her career-best mark.

Along with Wiechecki, Cheyanne James (10) and Kelby Jackson (10) also registered double-digit digs for the Highlanders. James narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with nine kills. Megan Short chipped in nine kills as well.

Lizzy Briones led the JMU (2-5) attack with 10 kills. Radford's defense kept back-to-back CAA Rookie of the Week Janey Goodman in check, holding her to eight kills. Meghan Niski contributed eight kills and 14 digs, while MacKenzie Kleespies notched a match-best 20 digs. Hanna Radhi was strong on the block, rejecting seven Highlander attacks.

Radford held the Dukes to -.036 on the attack in the opening stanza to take an early lead in the match. The Highlanders darted out of the gates with an 11-4 advantage. However, JMU battled back to trim its deficit to three (17-14), forcing an RU timeout. Still leading by three (19-16), the Highlanders ended the set on a 6-1 run to prevail, 25-17.

The second frame was much tighter in the early going. Trailing 12-10, Radford used an 8-1 rally to burst ahead, 18-13. The Dukes closed the gap to 20-17, but RU answered with a 5-3 edge in the final rallies to take a 2-0 lead at the break.

JMU turned the table in the third set, holding the Highlanders to -.030 on the attack. Already in front 17-16, the Dukes claimed the next two points to force a Radford timeout. JMU went on to extend its favor to six (23-17) and coast to the 25-19 triumph in the third frame.

RU's offense returned for the fourth stanza, hitting a match-best .455 as four Highlanders peppered four kills in the set. Much like the first frame, Radford built an early advantage (10-5). The Dukes were unable to get any closer than four the rest of the way as RU earned its fifth victory in program history over the Highlanders' in-state rival from the north.

"This was a nice win to get," Jenkins said. "But tonight was tonight. Tomorrow, we have to continue to get better as we prepare for our next tournament."

Radford is back on the road for its next four contests, beginning with Friday's neutral site match with DePaul in The Citadel Tournament. While in Charleston, S.C., the Highlanders will also face the host Bulldogs and South Carolina State.

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