VOLLEYBALL OUTLASTS GEORGE MASON IN FIVE

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FAIRFAX, Va. – Four Radford players contributed double-figure kills in guiding the Highlanders to a 3-2 (25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 20-25, 15-9) nonconference volleyball victory over George Mason Saturday afternoon inside the RAC as part of the Patriot Invitational.

"On a day when I felt we didn't play our best, we found a way to pull out a win," head coach Marci Jenkins said. "That is a really good accomplishment for a young team."

Big South Freshman of the Week Jordan Watson cranked a season-high 16 kills to pace the RU (4-2) attack. Emma Deininger matched her career high of 14 kills, behind a .370 attack clip, in addition to four blocks. Rachel Wiechecki posted her third double-double of the season with 14 kills and 12 digs. The Wilmington, Del. native now has 592 career kills, which is eighth all-time in program history.

Joining her teammate with a double-double was Cheyanne James, who recorded 11 kills and a career-high 15 digs. Jena Braden dished out 43 assists and dug the ball 11 times for her third double-double in five matches, including her second straight. Kelby Jackson was stellar in the back row, recording a season-best 20 digs. Thanks to her play, Radford accumulated a season-high 69 digs.

Lana Zonjic paced the Patriots (2-5) with 15 kills and 13 digs. Meredith Bush finished with 11 kills, while Bernetta Moore had a match-high 22 digs.

Sparked by Watson's five kills, the Highlanders took the opening set, 25-22. RU stormed out of the gates with a 6-2 advantage. The Patriots slowly chipped away at their deficit, eventually tying the set at 15. Still tied at 19, the Highlanders won the next four points for a 23-19 edge. After three-straight winners by Mason, RU closed with the final two points to clinch the set.

Despite trailing 8-5 early in the second stanza, the Patriots rallied to take a 13-12 lead. From there, the Highlanders used a 6-1 surge to grab an 18-14 advantage. Down set point (23-24), Mason fought back to win the next three points to even the match at intermission.

Tied at 8 in the third frame, Radford put together an 11-5 rally to build a 19-13 favor. Although the Patriots closed to within one (23-22), RU won two of the final three points off swings by Deininger and Watson to go ahead, 2-1, in the match.

The hosts took control of the fourth set early on, racing out to a 12-7 advantage. After a Wiechecki rocket trimmed the Highlanders' deficit to 15-14, Mason collected itself and went on to prevail, 25-20, and force a fifth frame.

RU, which hit .500 in the stanza, opened the deciding set on a 7-2 streak. The cushion proved to be enough as the Highlanders went on to claim the set (15-9) to improve to 2-1 in five-set matches this season.

Radford concludes play at the Patriot Invitational with a 6 p.m. match against Princeton. Live stats and live video will be provided.

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