Volleyball 8/30/2018 2:32:00 PM

VOLLEYBALL SET FOR REDHAWKS INVITATIONAL

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's volleyball team will face a tough test this weekend as they travel to the Redhawks Invitational, hosted by Southeast Missouri. Friday features a match at 11 a.m., against Northwestern State and Southeast Missouri at 8 p.m. The Highlanders close the invitational with ULM on Saturday at noon.

SETTING THE STAGE
Tournament: Redhawks Invitational
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Live Stats

ABOUT THE MATCHUPS
Radford has only played one match total against the trio of teams. That came in 2016 when the Highlanders defeated Southeast Missouri 3-0 in Birmingham, Ala. Radford will meet Northwestern State and ULM for the first time in program history this weekend.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
Four different Highlanders have 20-plus kills early this season. Valerie Gonzalez leads the way with 29, while Stephanie Neast is not far behind with 27 kills. Mallory McKnight and Taylor O'Neal are the other two in the category. Reigning Big South Defensive Player of the Week, Grace Green, leads the Highlanders defense with 53 digs, which is 4.42 per set. Amaya Rousseau and McKnight have 12 blocks, as McKnight has eight solo blocks.

LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend the Highlanders won all three of their matches in the Baltimore Bash. Radford knocked off Towson in a five-set match, Loyola (Md.) in a four set match and swept Siena in the finale.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Green was named Big South Defensive Player of the Week for her performance at the Baltimore Bash. The true freshman, who started at libero in all three games, helped the Highlanders to a perfect 3-0 record and contributed 53 digs or 4.42 digs per set which ranks fourth in the Big South.

RECORDS WATCH
Last weekend Haley Kleespies moved into second place on the all-time career assist with 3,495 career assists. The senior is shy 160 assists from setting the all time school record in the rally scoring era.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN STATE
Northwestern State (1-2) faced tough competition in the Red Raider Classic last weekend and dropped two contests to Texas Tech and Rice. The Demons picked up their first win on Tuesday night hosting Jackson State. NWU has three players with double-digit kills and Reagan Rogers leads the team with 31 kill – 3.44 per set. Madeline Drake has 1.22 blocks per set and will be a force at middle blocker.

ABOUT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
The Redhawks (4-0) boast the only other perfect record besides the Highlanders after defeating Southern, Southeastern Louisiana and Troy in the Troy Invitational last weekend. SEMO has not lost a set this season and swept Evansville on Tuesday night. The Redhawks have 23 aces compared to their opponents 11 and vaunt a .262 attack percentage as a team. Madara Bajare leads the squad with 33 kills and has a 3.00 attack percentage.

ABOUT ULM
ULM (2-1) won two matches at the Starkvegas Classic, including a four-set win over host Mississippi State. The Warhawks also defeated Mississippi Valley State, but fell to NCAA Division I newcomer California Baptist. Middle blocker Taylor Wood was named Starkvegas Classic All-Tournament team and she totaled 14 blocks and had 13 kills. Kate Blasingame averaged 2.70 kills per set this season and adds 34 digs as well.

FOLLOW VOLLEYBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the Radford volleyball team 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

#8 Amaya Rousseau: MB; 6' 1"; Senior

#2 Taylor O'Neal: OH/DS; 5' 11"; Freshman

#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

#8 Amaya Rousseau
: 6' 1"; Senior
: MB

#2 Taylor O'Neal
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: OH/DS

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