VOLLEYBALL SET TO TAKE ON APP STATE IN OPENING ROUND OF NATIONAL INVITATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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SETTING THE STAGE
National Invitational Volleyball Tournament: Thursday, November, 29
Bracket
Where: Clemson, South Carolina (Clemson University, Jervey Gym)
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Watch
Live Stats
Game Notes
Tickets: Thursday: $8 (good for both matches), Friday – $8, *A $12 ticket will be available for purchase that will allow entry to all three matches*

HIGHLANDER UPDATE
Radford posted a 21-6 record on the season and finished second in the Big South. The Highlanders, who will be competing in NCAA postseason play for the second straight year, will be led by their three 2018 Big South All-Conference First and Second Team performers. JR middle Mallory McKnight is second in the league in hitting percentage (.352) and is fourth in kills per set (2.96). SR setter Haley Kleespies leads the circuit in assists per set (10.30) and is second in aces (0.44). JR outside hitter Stephanie Neast is fifth in hitting percentage (.294) and is sixth in kills (2.71). In addition, Big South Honorable Mention pick, senior outside hitter Valerie Gonzalez, is tenth in points per set (2.93) and All Big South Freshman Team selection Grace Green is sixth in digs per set (4.27).

ABOUT THE OPPONENT
App State is coming off one of the best seasons in school history, posting a 22-8 record and winning the Sun Belt East Division with a 13-3 mark. The Mountaineers earned the second seed at the Sun Belt Tournament and made the finals, falling to top seed Texas State. OH Emma Longley leads the team with 3.74 kills per set while MB Kara Spicer is averaging 2.81 kills and 0.98 blocks per set. Setter Becky Porter distributes 10.82 assists along with 2.56 digs per set.

THE SERIES
App State and Radford have met 16 previous times, with the Mountaineers holding a 10-6 edge in the series. The teams last met in 2014, with App State recording a 3-0 sweep.

POSSIBLE SECOND-ROUND OPPONENTS
Clemson went 17-14 on the season and finished 8-10 in ACC play. Alabama A&M finished the regular season with a 23-15 mark, winning the SWAC regular season title, but falling in the SWAC Tournament championship.

FOLLOW VOLLEYBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the Radford volleyball team visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordVB on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Volleyball on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#9 Mallory McKnight: MB; 5' 11"; Junior

#19 Stephanie Neast: RS; 6' 0"; Junior

#18 Grace Green: DS/L; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#9 Mallory McKnight
: 5' 11"; Junior
: MB

#19 Stephanie Neast
: 6' 0"; Junior
: RS

#18 Grace Green
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: DS/L