RADFORD, Va.—The Radford women's volleyball team hosted Campbell in their home Big South conference opener on Friday night, with a final score of 3-1.
SET ONE
Much like their last opening set, the Highlanders took their opposition past the standard 25 points. After falling behind a pair of points to commence the evening, Radford's defensive pressure caused a Camel miscue. This shift tilted the scales in favor of the home team. A kill from
Mallory McKnight stretched the Radford lead to two prior to the media.
The Highlanders put together a four-point rally to build upon their increasing lead at 19-15, causing a Camel timeout. Campbell battled back into contention, tying the game up at 22 all. Two Camel kills and a ball handling error gave them the preliminary lead at 27-26. However, Radford would not be denied and took the final trio of points via kills from
Stephanie Neast as well as a block assist from
Mackenzie Meehan and
Esmadar Tavares at 29-27.
SET TWO
An attack error from the Camels, garnered first points for the Highlanders. Campbell strung together a rally that put some significant distance between them and Radford in the opening moments. The Highlanders adjusted and came within a pair of the Camels, thanks to a kill from McKnight at 12-10.
Down the stretch Campbell pieced together points to tie the match up at one all, with a set score of 25-17.
SET THREE
The Camels went up in this set, getting out to a 5-0 lead quickly. After a Highlander timeout, Tavares had seen enough and sent a monstrous ball back into Campbell territory. Meehan, Neast,
Samantha Reitz, and
Hailey Flowers all got in on the action offensively for Radford. In addition to her kill, Neast tacked on a service ace as well during the would-be comeback.
The Camels were up 16-8 over the Highlanders and added those nine remaining points to seal the set.
SET FOUR
This back-and-forth finale, was a thriller to the very end. The teams opened the set tick-for-tack, until Radford's four-point swing. A big-time block assist from Neast and Meehan served as the catalyst after the Campbell attack error. McKnight rounded out the rally with a pair of service aces.
This set saw eight ties, with the seventh coming by way of a Neast kill which halted the game at 22-22. Tavares and McKnight then teamed up to block a potential Camel kill, to increase the Highlander lead by one. Ultimately, Campbell's game ending trifecta walled off any possible last effort by Radford.
STAT LEADERS
Neast (9), Meehan (8), and Tavares (7) led the charge offensively for the Highlanders. McKnight concluded the match with several aces.
Maddie Lentz and
Jordan Coomes both tallied double-digit assists, with Lentz joining
Taylor O'Neal in double-digit digs.
UP NEXT
The home conference slate will continue tomorrow Saturday, Oct. 5th when the Hampton Pirates come to town. The match will begin at 4:00 p.m.
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