RADFORD, Va. – The Radford volleyball team showed incredible fight as it improved with each set, but ultimately fell, 3-0, to Winthrop at the Dedmon Center on Thursday night.
Radford (7-14, 3-6 Big South) took a tough loss to the Eagles (11-9, 7-2 Big South) back on Sept. 24 and they came out this time around looking a bit apprehensive about the rematch. While the focus and intensity were there, execution was lacking as Winthrop had a 13-kill, one-error first set that it won, 25-14.
While the Eagles were almost as impressive with 15 kills and just two errors in the second set, the Highlanders played a much cleaner game and recorded a .200 hitting percentage with 15 kills. The visitors managed to tally a service ace and earn a 4-to-0 advantage in blocks to go up 2-0 with a 25-19 win.
Doing everything they possibly could to stay alive against one of the toughest teams in the conference, Radford rotated their lineup a bit and everything clicked. Radford put up their first two aces and first two blocks of the match, forcing Winthrop to call a timeout when it went down 24-23.
The Eagles did exactly what they intended to do after the timeout, scoring three straight points to close out the match with a 26-24 third set victory.
Taylor Jefferson led the home squad with 10 kills on 23 attack attempts, her eighth double-digit kill performance of the season.
Jackeline Nerro was her primary setter, dishing out 20 assists and nine digs.
KEY STATS
- Tori Britton and Grace Tulevech were next up on Radford's attack, recording seven kills apiece
- Miranda Howard was tabbed as the starting libero on the night, the first start of her career
- Winthrop's offense was paced by the duo of Brookelynn Thomas (11 kills) and Alayna Jansky (10 kills)
UP NEXT
The UNC Asheville Bulldogs visit the Dedmon Center for a Friday night Big South clash. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+. The game also serves as Radford's Annual Dig Pink game for breast cancer awareness.
FOLLOW RADFORD VOLLEYBALL
For more information on the Radford volleyball team follow @RadfordVB on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Volleyball on Facebook.