VOLLEYBALL MAKES STATEMENT IN BIG SOUTH OPENER

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RADFORD, Va. – Behind tenacious defense and a critical rally in the second stanza, Radford downed Liberty, 3-0 (28-26, 26-24, 25-19), Friday night in the Big South volleyball opener for both squads before a raucous crowd inside the Dedmon Center.

With the win, the Highlanders improve to 11-6 overall and 1-0 in the league. Also, RU snaps a 24-match losing streak to the two-time defending Big South champions. The Flames drop to 1-12 on the season, including 0-1 in conference competition.

"I am proud of the way our girls battled in tight situations tonight," head coach Marci Jenkins said. "This match came down to our will to win and determination to not give up when we were down. Liberty is a well-coached team and very talented. This is a huge win for us because it's crucial to start off the conference season on the right foot."

A determined Rachel Wiechecki was in the zone as she finished with match highs in kills (14) and digs (20) to record her 25^th career double-double for the Highlanders. Her defensive efforts propelled the junior to 10^thall-time in career digs at Radford with 682.

Cheyanne James and Emma Deininger also reached double-figure kills with 10 apiece. James amassed eight digs and a match-high three aces, while Deininger repelled four Liberty attacks. Jena Braden charted a match-high 29 assists, while Rachel Flores added 11.

Lillie Happel paced the Flames with 12 kills and 17 digs. Jade Craycraft provided a second double-double performer for Liberty, ending with 28 assists and 13 digs. Haley Jeffcoat unloaded a team-best 13 kills, while Kendle Rollins produced a match-high five blocks.

In a defensive battle, Radford edged its rival in hitting (.262-.158) and blocking (9-8). The Flames claimed a 51-50 favor in digs.

Behind six kills apiece from Wiechecki and James, Radford prevailed 28-26 in the opening frame. After the Flames built a 9-6 advantage, the Highlanders rallied to tie it at 12 following a Jordan Watson rejection. Neither team could create separation until the set was tied at 26. On the next two rallies, James unleashed a rocket, and Deininger and Watson combined for a block to seal the 1-0 edge in the match. RU attacked at .400, while holding the visitors to .273.

Like the first set, the Flames established an early advantage as they built a 13-9 edge in the second stanza. Trailing by five at 23-18, Radford pulled off an improbable comeback. On the ensuing rally, Megan Short put away a kill to spark an 8-1 surge that lifted the Highlanders to a 26-24 come-from-behind victory and a 2-0 edge at intermission.

Radford's defense held the Flames' to .031 on the attack in the third set en route to earning a 25-19 decision. Reversing the trend of the previous sets, the Highlanders jumped out to the early lead at 13-8. Out of a Liberty timeout, the guests slowly dwindled their deficit to two at 19-17. Wiechecki responded to her team's call as she obliterated a Flores assist to ignite a 3-0 spurt that restored Radford's advantage to five (22-17). RU closed with three of the final five points to clinch the sweep.

The Highlanders travel to Durham, N.C. for a nonconference tilt with North Carolina Central at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Radford is 3-0 all-time against the Eagles.

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