VOLLEYBALL STUNNED BY ELON, 3-2

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ELON, N.C. – Despite three players with 14 or more kills, Radford saw Elon come from behind to notch a 3-2 nonconference volleyball victory Wednesday night at Alumni Gym.

Rachel Wiechecki paced the Highlanders (8-4) with her 23rd career double-double. The Wilmington, Del. native erupted for a team-high 15 kills and a season-high 21 digs. Three-time Big South Freshman of the Week Jordan Watson, along with Emma Deininger, knocked down 14 kills apiece.

Jena Braden tossed up 47 assists and Emma Wroblicky served up a season-best three aces. On the defensive side, Kelby Jackson registered 16 digs while Megan Short recorded four blocks for Radford.

Kris Harris and Megan Gravley notched 17 kills apiece to lead the Phoenix (5-7). Ana Nicksic produced a match-best 50 assists, in addition to 12 digs. Harris and Catherine Head charted three aces each.

Maggie Reichard anchored the defense with 19 digs, while Morgan Maner absorbed 13 attacks. Harris tallied a team-high seven blocks to round out her impressive night.

The Highlanders hit for a better percentage than Elon (.227-.212), but the Phoenix had stronger numbers on defense. The hosts edged Radford in digs (72-68) and blocks (15-10).

Elon jumped out to a 9-3 advantage in the opening frame. RU eventually tied it at 17 off a Watson swing. However, the Highlanders could not grasp the lead as the Phoenix prevailed, 25-23, in the first set.

Radford's defense shined in the second stanza, holding Elon to -.037 on the attack. Tied at 13, the Highlanders used a 5-0 run capped by a Watson kill to surge ahead, 18-13. From there, RU cruised to the 25-17 victory to even the match at a set apiece heading into intermission. In addition to their defensive efforts, the Highlanders' offense was equally as impressive as they hit .318 in the frame.

In the third set, Radford fell behind 20-14. The Highlanders had a response when a Wiechecki kill ignited an 11-3 rally, which propelled them to a 2-1 edge in the match.

Despite trailing 14-10, the Highlanders rallied to tie the fourth frame at 17. Elon countered with a 7-2 spurt to go up, 24-19, and went on to win 25-21.

The Phoenix carried their momentum into the fifth set, racing out to a 12-3 advantage. The deficit was too much for Radford to overcome as it lost to Elon in five games for the second year in a row.

Radford looks to bounce back when it opens a five-match homestand beginning with a 3 p.m. contest against Savannah State Friday, Sept. 20 inside the Dedmon Center as part of the inaugural Highlander Classic.

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