Volleyball 9/20/2018 3:03:00 PM

UNC ASHEVILLE AND USC UPSTATE ON WEEKEND DOCKET FOR RADFORD

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford volleyball team will spend the weekend traveling to the Carolinas to open Big South play. The first trip is to Asheville, N.C., to take on UNC Asheville on Friday at 6 p.m., while Saturday the team will head to the Palmetto State to play USC Upstate at 5 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: UNC Asheville (6 p.m.) | USC Upstate (5 p.m.)
Location: Asheville, N.C. | Spartanburg, S.C.
UNC Asheville: Live Stats | Watch Live ($)
USC Upstate: Live Stats | Watch Live ($)

ABOUT THE MATCHUPS
Radford has played UNC Asheville a combined 58 times with a record of 31-27 against the Bulldogs. The Highlanders are 2-0 against the Spartans, with their last match up rewinding back to 2011.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
Entering with a five-match win streak, the Highlanders haven't faced any competition in 12 days thanks to Hurricane Florence. Radford is looking to win its Big South opener for the third consecutive season. Averaging 13.1 kills per set, Radford has 66 kills more than its opponents. The Highlanders rank first in the conference with a .223 hitting percentage and are holding its opponents to a .152 hitting percentage. Mallory McKnight ranks second in the conference with a .332 hitting percentage and is eighth in kills per set with 2.73. She leads the team with 90 kills and 29 total blocks. Freshman Grace Green has held down the defense with a team-leading 135 digs (4.09 per set).

LAST TIME OUT
Radford's last matches came in Philadelphia, Pa., at the Valley Forge Invitational hosted by Penn. The team swept the competition winning, 3-0, against Saint Francis (Pa.), 3-1 at Penn, and 3-1 against Lehigh. McKnight looked strong on offense, collecting nine kills and one ace. Senior Haley Kleespies was solid defensively as well, finishing the weekend with 27 assists, seven digs, and four service aces.

NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
Kleespies moved into first place in all-time career assists at Radford currently with 3,662. She recorded her 3,655^th assist in the second match of the Valley Forge Invitational against Penn, which propelled her atop the leaderboard. The senior is inside the top five in the Radford volleyball record books in service aces, double-doubles and assists.

SCOUTING UNC ASHEVILLE
The Bulldogs are coming off two four-set victories against Western Carolina and The Citadel. The team is 3-1 at home this season. Cara Guthrie has 121 of the Bulldogs' 413 kills. She is averaging just over 3.5 kills per set. She has also contributed 16 service aces.

SCOUTING USC UPSTATE
The Big South newcomer suffered a 3-1 loss to High Point on Tuesday night. The Spartans are 3-11 this season with the three victories coming against MEAC opponents Savannah State – twice – and North Carolina A&T. USC Upstate has outscored its opponents 313-308 in the third set. The Spartans have a trio of players with 100 plus kills. Payton Duncan leads with 115 and has a team-high 16 service aces and 173 digs.

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#3 Haley Kleespies

#9 Mallory McKnight

#18 Grace Green

Players Mentioned

#3 Haley Kleespies

#9 Mallory McKnight

#18 Grace Green