PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The Radford volleyball team (4-5) played a pair of games to conclude the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing Cherry & White Challenge against Lehigh and Columbia. The Highlanders split the day, making quick work of the Mountain Hawks in preparation for the tough battle against the Lions. 
 
Radford 3, Lehigh 0
This afternoon contest for Radford seemed to be all Highlanders as the set scores indicated—25-17, 25-21, and 25-20. As a team, Radford tallied a season best hitting percentage of .309 and their third most kills in a game at 47. Both of these statistics were major contributing factors in the Highlanders edging out the Mountain Hawks in almost every statistical category. 
 
In the opening set, Radford got out to a great start and firing on all cylinders. Lehigh never got the opportunity to get within striking distance of the well-balanced Highlanders. Set two was played a little tighter by the Mountain Hawks who started off kick-started the set with a kill. However, Radford put together a pair of rallies to shift the momentum and points their way all thanks to a kill by Morgan Goodman. A Lehigh late rally brought the Mountain Hawks within a point of the Highlanders. A service error paired with two kills from Hailey Flowers allowed Radford to complete the set unscathed.
 
The third and what would prove to be the final saw Lehigh jump out ahead of Radford to a quick 4-0 start. However, a kill from Mallory McKnight tied the game up at 12 all and the Highlanders would outlast the Mountain Hawks en route to 25. 
 
Radford 1, Columbia 3
This thrilling four set battle bore numerous lead changes in addition to a service ace frenzy with both teams notching six a piece. 
 
In the early goings, neither team could put distance between the other, but Radford's defense helped turn points toward their offensive efforts. At one point the Highlanders led the Lions 20-17. A late shift in favor of Columbia gave Radford a pause heading into a late set timeout. Eventually, the Lions tacked on the four points needed to close the set 25-20. 
 
A regrouped Highlander team took to the court for the following set and earned their set two victory after a back-and-forth very close contest. After the Columbia timeout, Radford posted a service ace via Stephanie Neast to increase the lead to 21-19. In the waning moments the Highlanders broke the standstill with a block assist by Mackenzie Meehan and McKnight. Flowers, a Lion attack error, and set sealing kill from Neast gave way to Radford's 25-21 win. 
 
The Highlanders fought hard to vie for the win against the Lions, but the latter sets belonged to Columbia with scores of 25-21 and 25-16. In set three, Flowers halted Columbia's streak to 25 with a set tying kill at 21 all. However, the Lions tacked on the remaining four points to take the set. The final set was just as back-and-forth as the others until Columbia mounted a rally six-point rally ensuing a Radford timeout. Afterwards, the Highlanders weren't ever able to really find their footing with the Lions reaching 25 before Radford could really dig into the deficit.  

Flowers was named to the All-Tournament team. 
 
STAT OF THE MATCH
Neast joins teammate Taylor O'Neal as only one of two Highlanders to notch double doubles so far this season. O'Neal's came against Toledo during the 2019 Radford Invitational. Neast concluded the match against Columbia with 17 kills, a season high, and 13 digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will continue their road trip, this time down to the Carolinas to compete in the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C. Radford will contend with Colgate, VCU, and host UNC-Chapel Hill.
 
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