RADFORD, LIBERTY TO CLASH IN BIG SOUTH QUARTERFINALS

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SETTING THE STAGE

Two familiar foes are pitted against each other for Thursday's final quarterfinal of the Big South volleyball tournament as Radford and Liberty are set to meet for the 74^th time.
First serve is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the Millis Center in High Point, N.C.
The season series was split between the two sides with each team winning on the opponents' home floor.
RU's win at Liberty on Oct. 30 marked the Highlanders' first victory inside the Vines Center since 2001.
Prior to Coastal Carolina winning the 2015 Big South regular-season championship, Radford (2013-14) and Liberty (2007-12) combined for the previous eight conference titles.
The Highlanders' last encounter with Liberty in the conference tournament was in 2013 when they prevailed in an epic five-set thriller in the semifinals en route to capturing their fifth tournament title and third NCAA appearance.
Series: Liberty leads, 44-29
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HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 13-14
Radford enters the tournament as the sixth seed after posting a 6-8 record in league action.
The Highlanders rank second in the Big South in kills per set (13.03) and fourth in assists per set (11.94).
Radford is fourth in the league in hitting percentage (.206).
Megan Short, an All-Big South first team honoree, ranks second in the Big South in hitting percentage (.390) and fourth in kills per set (3.29).
Haley Kleespies, an all-freshman selection, is the conference leader in assists per set (10.70) and ranks second in aces per set (0.36).
Kelby Jackson is ninth among Big South players in digs per set (3.51).

SCOUTING LIBERTY

Record: 14-13
The Flames stumbled down the stretch, dropping three of their final five matches—beginning with Radford's 3-1 win in Lynchburg.
LU still managed to secure the No. 3 seed behind its 9-5 Big South record.
All-Big South first team honorees Caroline Douglas and Jade Vorster lead Liberty, offensively, with 3.36 and 2.60 kills per set, respectively.
Sophomore setter Anna Willey was voted an honorable mention selection after ranking third in the Big South in assists per set (10.27).
Margaret Latchford, the Flames' freshman libero, has anchored the back row behind her 4.67 digs per set (fifth in the Big South). She is ranked eighth among all Division I freshmen in digs per set.

UP NEXT

The Radford/Liberty winner advances to play the victor between No. 2 seed High Point and No. 7 seed Campbell at 7 p.m. on Friday.
High Point is hosting the three-day championship inside its Millis Center in High Point, N.C.

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