VOLLEYBALL PREPARES FOR FINAL NONCONFERENCE CLASH AT N.C. CENTRAL

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Site: Durham, N.C. | McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium
Series vs. NCCU: Radford leads 3-0
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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford volleyball team steps out of conference play for the final time in 2013 when the squad travels to Durham, N.C. to battle North Carolina Central in a 6 p.m. match at McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

NCCU SERIES AT A GLANCE
Radford is unbeaten in its three encounters with the Eagles. Their last meeting came last season inside the Dedmon Center. After dropping the first set (25-20), RU prevailed in the final three sets (25-6, 25-10, 25-20) to earn the victory. Jesse Miedema was the catalyst for the Highlanders as she uncorked a career-high 14 kills against the MEAC member.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
17 matches into the season, NCCU is still seeking its first win. Radford is the fourth Big South program to play the Eagles. UNC Asheville, Campbell and Gardner-Webb also dueled with NCCU. The two sides share three common opponents thus far in Elon, George Mason and N.C. A&T.

Da'sha Brown paces the Eagles' attack at 2.49 kills per set, while Kalin Russell contributes 2.08 kills per set. Alice Genna averages 5.43 assists per set and 1.74 digs per set. Kelsey Murphy anchors the defense with 2.30 digs per set, while Ashley McCarthy supplies 0.70 blocks per set.

SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS
Radford enters the match with an 11-6 record following its conference-opening triumph over in-state rival Liberty. Rachel Wiechecki (196) and Jordan Watson (194) pace the Highlanders offensively. Their 3.21 and 3.18 kills per set rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Big South. In addition, Wiechecki has racked up a conference-best 33 aces.

Jena Braden leads the team in assists having registered 459 so far this year. Emma Deininger leads the team in total blocks (68), which is the highest mark in the Big South.

As a team, Radford leads the league in hitting percentage (.252), opponent's hitting percentage (.172) and blocks (159), while ranking second in assists per set (11.83), second in kills per set (12.91) and fourth in aces per set (1.48).

RECORD WATCH
A number of current Highlanders are making their marks on the program's record books. Wiechecki passed Elizabeth Aldredge for fifth all-time in career kills against Liberty last Friday. Wiechecki (713) needs five more to pass former teammate and 2011 graduate Megan McWhorter for fourth on the list. The junior is already fourth in kills per set (2.75) and fifth in aces (95). Braden is fourth all-time in the assists' category with 1,498, while Rachel Flores is 10^th with 251.

Defensively, Deininger (261) and Miedema (155) are fourth and 10th, respectively, in total blocks. In addition, Deininger is third in block assists (233), while Miedema is seventh (145). Wiechecki reached the top-10 list for digs (682) during Radford's last outing. She is only seven away from vaulting two spots to eighth place, which is held by former teammate Rachel Brummitt.

UP NEXT
Following their trip to Durham, the Highlanders return to the Dedmon Center to host UNC Asheville and Gardner-Webb. RU squares off against the Bulldogs on Friday at 7 p.m., and clashes with the Runnin' Bulldogs on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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