RADFORD OPENS BIG SOUTH PLAY AT WINTHROP

Follow @RadfordVB

RADFORD, Va. – After opening the season 10-1 in non-conference play – its best start in 30 years – the Radford volleyball team opens conference play in Rock Hill, S.C., against Winthrop on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE
• Location: Rock Hill, S.C. (Winthrop Coliseum)
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Live Stats
• Watch Live

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
• The Highlanders (10-1) are coming off a two-win performance at the Hokie Invitational with victories over ETSU and Virginia Tech.
• The win over the Hokies was their third Power Five victory this season and the first win over the rival since 2001.
• Valerie Gonzalez and Alyssa Carruth were named all-tournament, while Gonzalez's career-high 23 kill performance over ETSU earned her tournament MVP.
• Radford is 2-8 in Big South openers over the last 10 years, with the two wins coming in the last four seasons.
• The Highlanders have held their opponents to a .132 hitting percentage, which ranks 12^th in the country.
• Averaging 1.79 aces per set, Radford is top in the conference and 17^th in the nation in that category.
• Maddie Palmer ranks second in the Big South in four categories, attacks per set (9.8), kills per set (3.81), points per set (4.43) and total kills (160).
• Haley Kleespies, coming off a career-high seven kills against Virginia Tech, is leading the team with 18 service aces and is averaging 0.43 per set.
• Radford is receiving 26 votes in the VolleyballMag.com Mid-Major Poll. It's the second straight week the team is receiving votes after gaining 22 in last week's rankings.

SCOUTING WINTHROP (8-5)
• Series: Radford leads 32-30 (Last Meeting: October 22, 2016 | W, 3-0)
• Winthrop has lost only four sets in the past two matches and have won four straight, including two three set victories over Alabama A&M and The Citadel.
• Prior to conference play the Eagles have been part of the Morehead State Tournament, Troy Tournament, ECU Classic and the Bulldogs Invitational.
• The Eagles have played one game at home where they hosted Wofford and lost in three sets.
• Winthrop has 25 more kills than its opponents this season totaling 613, but have committed five more errors than its opponents.
• Sydney Gunter leads the Eagles with 148 kills and is averaging 2.90 kills per set.
• Keaupono Fey is hitting a blistering .410 and has 135 kills – third most on the team.
• Fey recorded 36 kills with only six errors and had a .455 hitting percentage over the weekend, with 24 of her 36 kills coming in the final match. The performance garnered her Big South Conference Player of the Week.

For the latest on Radford Athletics, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Highlander Happenings.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#5 Valerie Gonzalez: RS; 6' 1"; Junior

#3 Haley Kleespies: S; 5' 8"; Junior

#20 Maddie Palmer: OH; 6' 0"; Senior

#11 Alyssa Carruth: DS/L; 5' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Valerie Gonzalez
: 6' 1"; Junior
: RS

#3 Haley Kleespies
: 5' 8"; Junior
: S

#20 Maddie Palmer
: 6' 0"; Senior
: OH

#11 Alyssa Carruth
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: DS/L