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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Cantrell-20141121-1
Big South Sports Photos
2
Winthrop WU 20-12
3
Winner Radford RAD 24-7
Winthrop WU
20-12
2
Final
3
Radford RAD
24-7
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Winthrop WU 25 21 27 20 6 (2)
Radford RAD 18 25 25 25 15 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

HEART, DETERMINATION HELP HIGHLANDERS ADVANCE TO CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH



CONWAY, S.C. – When the Radford volleyball team was trailing 2-1 following the third set of Friday's Big South tournament semifinal match, senior middle blocker Savannah Cantrell had a realization.
 
"When we were down 2-1, it hit me that our season was on the line," Cantrell recalled. "The seniors pulled the team together after that third set, and we said 'we aren't ending things here.'"
 
Well, their season did not end. With a determined Cantrell leading the charge, the Highlanders were able to erase their 2-1 deficit by winning the final two sets and advance to Sunday's championship match. Set scores were 18-25, 25-21, 25-27, 25-20 and 15-6 in favor of RU.
 
"We were focused and determined in those final two sets," Cantrell continued. "This team means so much to me, and I wouldn't go to battle with any other group in the nation."
 
Forced to a fifth set for the ninth time this season, Radford (24-7) proved to be up to the task once again. Cantrell put away four kills on four attempts in the final frame alone. She finished with a career-high 16 kills at a .517 attack clip. As a team, the Highlanders hit .300 in the fifth set to complete the comeback.
 
On a night where First-Team All-Big South honoree Rachel Wiechecki was held to .074 on the attack, her teammates were more than willing to answer the call. In addition to Cantrell's effort, Maddie Palmer and Savanna Burton obliterated 17 and 10 kills, respectively.
 
"This was a complete team effort tonight," head coach Marci Jenkins expressed. "I can't put into words how much I love these young women. They fight and scrap until the end. I told them at intermission, 'everyone thinks we are just a one-player team with Rachel [Wiechecki].' We definitely showed otherwise tonight. Maddie [Palmer], Savannah [Cantrell] and Savanna [Burton] were incredible, offensively. We were in this same position last year with Liberty in the semifinals. This group knows how to close."
 
Wiechecki still managed to record her 24th double-double of the season by tallying 12 kills and 22 digs. Burton and Kelby Jackson added 18 digs apiece. Jena Braden steered the offense with her 60 assists, which tie her career high. The senior setter also contributed 12 digs for her 16th double-double of the season.
 
In addition to their digs, the Highlanders also posted 13 blocks. Emma Deininger led the way with a season-high-tying seven rejections.
 
Across the net, Emma Weakland paced Winthrop (20-12) with 16 kills. Rachel Lenz (14), Nikki Drost (14), Brianna Gray (10) and Alina Sopizhuk (10) also landed double-digit kills. The Eagles' libero, Maria Volstad, did everything she could to keep her team in the match, collecting a match-high 33 digs. Jessie Vicic tossed out 59 assists.
 
With the win, top-seeded Radford advances to its 10th tournament championship match and third in the last four years. The Highlanders will face a familiar foe in Sunday's final. No. 2 seed Coastal Carolina fended off High Point in straight sets to reach the title match for the third-straight season. RU swept the Chanticleers in last year's championship tilt. First serve is set for 2 p.m., and the match will be broadcast on ESPN3.

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