RADFORD, Va.—The Highlanders found redemption tonight in a three-set sweep over the Blue Hose on Diabetes Awareness Night, led by a season high game from
Mackenzie Meehan.
SET ONE
The opening set was all Radford as senior
Mallory McKnight opened the scoring for both teams with a booming kill setup by
Jordan Coomes. Down the stretch the lead bopped back-and-forth between the two teams until the Highlanders went on a 13-1 scoring run. The shift in momentum caught the Blue Hose by surprise, calling a pair of timeouts during the huge Radford rally.
Two Presbyterian mishaps in addition to a kill from
Taylor O'Neal and Meehan seeled the set at 25-13.
SET TWO
The Highlanders battled back into contention in this stanza as the Blue Hose commenced the set on a 7-0 run.
Hailey Flowers put an end to the Presbyterian run only for them to notch another point moments later.
The later 7-0 rally from Radford would bring them within one of their opposition and into a timeout. The Blue Hose left the timeout and tacked on two more points immediately after. However, the Highlanders weren't deterred from climbing back into this set point-by-point.
A
Stephanie Neast kill tied the set at 19 and was followed by a Presbyterian timeout. Later in the set, a Blue Hose kill held the set at 23 all but a Presbyterian miscue would fall in favor of Radford. The Highlanders took advantage of the moment and their defense caused yet another Blue Hose error to take the set 25-23.
SET THREE
Neast's kill brought Radford in line with Presbyterian at five points, and then the Highlanders began to pull away. A series of two to three-point swings for Radford increased the lead, as the Blue Hose's deficit rose to seven.
Fittingly, Meehan's kill would be the final blow as the Highlanders finalized the sweep with a set score of 25-15.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Meehan's would-be double-double at six kills and 11 block assists, paced the match for Radford on the night. Both totals are season highs for the freshman who helped host the Highlander block party on the night. Her impressive hitting percentage of .857 led both teams on the night, and is also a season high.
LEADERS
Neast was the lone Highlander with double digits kills at 12, closely behind was Flowers (8) and Meehan.
Grace Green tallied a pair of service aces with Flowers and McKnight adding one to their totals as well. Meehan, Neast (6), and Goodman (6) were the block party up front for Radford. With double digit assists on the night, Coomes (17) and
Maddie Lentz (10) set up their teammates well. Green put in work with 11 digs, with Goodman (9) and McKnight (8) aiding her.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
UP NEXT
Radford will play their final regular season match in Dedmon tomorrow, Nov. 16th at 4:00 p.m. The Highlanders will face off in a tournament deciding match versus the Buccaneers of Charleston Southern on Senior Day. Radford will honor
Stephanie Neast,
Morgan Goodman, and
Mallory McKnight.
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