PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The Radford women's volleyball team traveled to compete in their third tournament of the 2019 season. The Highlanders played the night game against the host Owls to conclude day one of the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing Cherry & White Challenge, falling to Temple 3-0. 
 
SET ONE 
After finding their rhythm, Radford put on a rally that when finished would bring them to within one point of their opposition. A Mackenzie Meehan kill brought the Highlanders' total up to eight, trailing the Owls by four. The Radford defense forced a pair of Temple miscues offensively and defensively to garner points toward the cause. Another Meehan kill would give position the Highlanders at 12-11, causing an Owl timeout. Temple tallied several kills to seal the set at 25-17. 
 
SET TWO 
Stephanie Neast partnered with Mallory McKnight to block a would-be Owl point, shortly after Neast's responsive opening kill. The two teams vied for the lead and a trifecta of great plays allowed the Highlanders to take the early lead. After subbing back in Meehan and the Radford defense affected Temple, resulting in an attack error for the Owls. Going back to serve for the Highlanders was Morgan Goodman who notched her first service ace at Radford. To cap the run off was a striking kill from Meehan, giving the Highlanders a 9-7 lead over Temple. The Owls strung together a pair of series to outlast the potential Radford comeback at 25-19. 
 
SET THREE
After falling behind in the early goings, the Highlanders eventually put on a series initiated by a Kennedi Johnson ace. However, the momentum stayed with the Owls in the quest to 25, with Temple taking the third and final set 25-17 over Radford. 

STAT LEADERS
Goodman had herself a night, setting personal highs as a Highlander. She posted five kills, 6.5 points, the aforementioned ace, and five digs in the matchup. Meehan led Radford with nine kills. McKnight, Goodman, and Johnson each had an ace on the evening. Jordan Coomes and Maddie Lentz posted double digit assists with comes joining Grace Green in double digit digs. McKnight and Neast paced the defensive front for the Highlanders, rejecting three potential kills each. 
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will return to the court for day two of the tournament against Lehigh and Columbia. The games will be played at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. respectively. 
 
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