Volleyball 9/19/2013 2:31:00 PM

VOLLEYBALL HOSTS HIGHLANDER CLASSIC THIS WEEKEND

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Site: Radford, Va. | Dedmon Center
Series vs. Savannah State: RU leads, 1-0
Series vs. Tulane: First Meeting
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RADFORD, Va. – Radford volleyball hosts the Highlander Classic Friday and Saturday inside the Dedmon Center. The Highlanders are set to face Tulane and Savannah State twice on both days.

TULANE SERIES AT A GLANCE
Friday's 7 p.m. match with the Green Wave will mark the first time Radford has played the Conference USA member. The two squads will play their second meeting almost 24 hours later when they hook up at 6:30 p.m. in the tournament finale.

SCOUTING THE GREEN WAVE
After coming off a loss to North Dakota, Tulane boasts a 10-1 record so far this year. Tulane is led by two stellar freshmen in Tea Juric and Annie Shurtz. Juric leads the team in kills per set (3.94), while Shurtz is second (3.26).

Mel Mandelbaum tops the Green Wave's assist chart with 414 on the year and an average of 10.62 assists per set. Another freshman, Sarah Strasner, leads Tulane in total blocks (37.0).

SAVANNAH STATE SERIES AT A GLANCE
SSU meets Radford for just the second time in series history. The two squads open the Highlander Classic at 3 p.m. Friday, then play their third all-time meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Savannah State brings a 0-12 mark to the New River Valley. Bryana Gadis (52) and Bianca Brochu (51) top the kill chart for the Tigers. Gadis also leads the team in digs (80). Caitlynn Masoe has delivered a squad-best 174 assists, while Christian Lyle guards the block with 18 on the year.

SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS
Jordan Watson is the top offensive weapon for Radford, averaging 3.28 kills per set, which rank third in the Big South. Rachel Wiechecki and Cheyanne James are right behind at 3.12 and 2.48, respectively. Jena Braden leads the Highlanders in assists with 397. Emma Deininger has a team-high 55 blocks, which tops the league.

Radford holds the top spot in the Big South in hitting percentage (.249). In addition, the Highlanders rank second in assists per set (11.67), second in kills per set (12.71), second in blocks per set (2.29) and fifth in aces per set (1.47).

RECORD WATCH
A number of current Highlanders are making their marks on the program's record books. Wiechecki is sixth all-time in career kills at 670, 38 shy of fifth place currently held by Elizabeth Aldredge. The junior is tied for fourth in kills per set (2.71) and is fifth in aces (88). Braden is fourth all-time in the assists category with 1,436.

Defensively, Deininger (248) and senior Jesse Miedema (153) are fourth and 10th, respectively, in total blocks. In addition, Deininger is fourth in block assists (220), while Miedema is seventh (143).

UP NEXT
Radford opens its Big South slate at home against defending league champion Liberty. The in-state conference clash takes place Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

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