VOLLEYBALL SHOWS TOUGHNESS IN 3-1 LOSS TO GREEN WAVE

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RADFORD, Va. – Despite the 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 22-25, 23-25) defeat, the Radford volleyball team showed tremendous poise in the Highlander Classic finale against Tulane Saturday night inside the Dedmon Center.

"Our players showed a lot of fight tonight," head coach Marci Jenkins said. "I am very pleased with how we improved from last night's match against Tulane. We hung in there against a very athletic squad. This performance gives us confidence as we move into conference play next week."

By tying her career high of 16 kills, Cheyanne James was named to the all-tournament team for the Highlanders (10-6). Joining her on the five-player squad was teammate Rachel Wiechecki, who ripped 13 kills.

Big South Freshman of the Week Jordan Watson unleashed 13 kills as well. Rachel Flores tossed out 30 assists, while Jena Braden nearly notched a double-double with 12 assists and nine digs.

Kelby Jackson anchored the backline for RU, racking up 12 digs. Megan Short registered five blocks to go along with her six kills, and Emma Deininger rejected four attacks in addition to her six kills.

All-tournament honoree Cori Martone pounded a match-high 18 kills in addition to 10 digs in guiding the Green Wave (13-1). Highlander Classic MVP Tea Juric was right behind with 15 kills and 10 digs, while Annie Shurtz struck 10 kills. Mel Mandelbaum aided a match-high 53 attacks. Defensively, Grace Weaver accumulated a match-best 19 digs.

Tulane barely outhit the Highlanders, .286-.271. The visitors have their defense to thank for it as their backline was forced to make 54 digs in the contest. Radford countered with its own defense, however, totaling 11 blocks.

Wiechecki, James and Watson each cranked three kills to pace the Highlanders' attack in the opening frame en route to the 25-18 win. Radford broke a deadlock at 14-all off a Watson blast to ignite an 11-4 surge that clinched the set.

Tulane hit .308 in the second stanza to claim a 25-21 victory, which evened the match at intermission. With the Highlanders leading 6-4, the visitors countered with a 6-1 run to reclaim the lead at 10-7. After the Green Wave extended their lead to 19-14, Radford rallied to trim its deficit to 22-19. From there, Tulane won three of the next five points to deliver the equalizer.

Out of the break, Tulane found its offensive rhythm as it hit .406 on its way to the 25-22 third-set win. Trailing 6-4, Watson rifled a rocket that sparked a 5-0 rally to vault the Highlanders on top, 9-6. Martone took over for the Green Wave during the next several rallies as they reclaimed the lead and forced a RU timeout at 16-13.

Showing their mental toughness, the Highlanders dug deep as they dwindled their deficit to 20-19. Tulane earned set point at 24-20, but Deininger, Watson, Short and James combined for back-to-back blocks to close the gap to 24-22. The Green Wave ended the threat on the next rally as Martone delivered the set-clinching kill.

It was all Tulane in the beginning stages of the fourth frame as the squad established a 5-0 edge. Still ahead by five at 18-13, RU made its push. Watson scorched a shot that generated a 3-0 spurt to prompt a Green Wave timeout at 18-16. After Tulane responded to go ahead 22-18, tremendous blocking ignited a 5-1 surge to tie the set at 23. Unfortunately, the Highlanders' comeback stalled as Martone and Mandelbaum delivered the match-clinching points for the visitors.

Radford is back on the court Friday, Sept. 27 against defending Big South champion Liberty. The league opener for both squads commences at 7 p.m. inside the Dedmon Center.

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