Volleyball 9/24/2018 5:45:00 PM Greg Wolfe

RADFORD HEADS TO WINTHROP FOR TUESDAY TILT

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford volleyball team remains on the road for their third Big South matchup of the season as they head to Rock Hill, S.C., to face Winthrop on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Winthrop | 6-8, 2-0 Big South
Location: Rock Hill, S.C.
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ABOUT THE MATCHUP
This will be Radford's 54^th meeting against Winthrop where they lead the all-time series with a 34-19 record. Radford last saw Winthrop in the opening round of the Big South Tournament last year where they cruised to a 3-0 victory.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
After picking up a pair of road Big South wins this past weekend, the Highlanders are now riding a seven-match winning streak. The Highlanders hitting percentage has continued to rise to .232, partnered with a .151 opponent's hitting percentage which are both best in the conference. Mallory McKnight moved into the lead for hitting percentage in the Big South raising it to .360 with a team-best 121 kills. Haley Kleespies racked up 99 more assists last weekend pushing her season total 403 (9.83 per set), which is also best in the conference. Valerie Gonzalez had 23 kills resting her total at 99 for the season and just one shy of having over 100 kills in four straight seasons.

LAST TIME OUT
Radford played last weekend at Asheville, N.C., against UNC Asheville and against USC Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. Radford won both matches by a score of 3-1 where they out-dug their opponents 126-101. They also tallied 120 total kills and 11 blocks across the two matches.

SPREADING THE LOVE
The Highlanders are scoring with plenty of new faces this season. In 2017, seven Highlanders recorded over 50 kills. Even though the Highlanders have had three matches cancelled earlier this season, three Highlanders are already above 50 with five more players being close to that number. Kylie Tuxford is leading freshmen on the team with her 48 kills along with freshman teammate Taylor O'Neal not far behind with 39.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
The Eagles are tearing up the competition as of late with a three-game winning streak that included two Big South victories – one over the reigning Big South regular season champs, High Point – with a total set score of 9-2. The Eagles rank second in the Big South for digs with senior Carlie Skelton leading the team with 196 (4.08 per set). The Highlanders will have to be careful during the serve as the Eagles have two juniors, Siani Yamaguchi and Jace Kleffner, who have combined for 34 service aces this season. Kleffner will also be the biggest attacking threat as she leads the team with 135 kills (2.87 per set), which is seventh best in the conference.

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

#1 Kylie Tuxford: OH/DS; 5' 9"; Freshman

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#1 Kylie Tuxford
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: OH/DS

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