Radford Volleyball Topples UNC Asheville To Start Big South Play 1-0

Friday, September 23

Asheville, NC

6:00 PM

Radford University

5-8,1-0Big South

UNC Asheville

3-9,0-2Big South

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Radford	18	25	25	25	3
UNC Asheville	25	14	15	18	1

Photo by: James Hall

Radford Volleyball Topples UNC Asheville To Start Big South Play 1-0

9/23/2022 8:21:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Double-double performances from Taylor Jefferson and Crystal Childs led the Radford volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over UNC Asheville on Friday night. The final scoreline was 18-25, 25-14, 25-15, 25-18 in fantastic start to Big South Conference play.

Jefferson was on fire for the Highlanders (5-8, 1-0 Big South) all night long, leading all players with a career-high 16 kills on 40 attack attempts for a .250 hitting percentage. She added 12 digs and a block assist as well for her fifth double-double of the year.

Childs was just as crucial to the winning effort, recording 11 kills and a game-high 20 digs. The digs are a season-high, giving her a third double-double this season.

Teammates Grace Tulevech (8), Summer Campbell (7), Tytianna Roberts (5), and Tori Britton (4) made major contributions in the attack as well, giving Radford a balanced and dangerous offensive effort throughout the match.

Coming off an up-and-down non-conference schedule of games, the Highlanders looked a bit unsure of themselves in the first set against UNC Asheville (3-9, 0-2 Big South). Radford hit just .028 thanks for nine attacking errors while allowing a .300 hitting percentage by the Bulldogs in a first-set loss.

The tables completely turned in the second set however, as the Highlanders hit a game-high .343 on 35 attack attempts to tie things up at 1-all. The third set was a similar story as the visitors thoroughly outplayed the hosts and took a 2-1 lead in enemy territory.

With a chance to close things out in the fourth set, UNC Asheville began to claw back into the match, turning an 18-10 deficit into a three-point game. Radford Head Coach Sherisa Livingston called timeout and helped settle the team who came back out refocused and finished the job.

KEY STATS

After its tough start, Radford rebounded from a .028 H% in the first set to end the match with a .182
Fiona Baker and Jackeline Nerro distributed the ball well, providing 22 and 16 assists respectively to give Radford a 50-28 advantage in the category
Shelby Hernandez was second on the team with 19 digs, but her three service aces may have been the biggest spark to the team
Summer Campbell's eight kills mark a new career high

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MATCH

S3 | Radford 25, UNC Asheville 15

Another one! Kennedy Robinson puts the finishing touches on another dominant set and Radford takes a 2-1 lead!

TJ is on ?????? tonight and has a 13-kill, 10-dig double-double#RiseAndDefend?? x #BigSouthVB pic.twitter.com/IKjacHpJpJ
— Radford Volleyball (@RadfordVB) September 23, 2022

AROUND THE BIG SOUTH (on Friday, Sept. 23)
High Point 3, Presbyterian 0
Campbell 3, Gardnder-Webb 0

UP NEXT
The team heads to Rock Hill, S.C. to take on the Winthrop Eagles at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

HOME OPENER
Radford volleyball finally plays its 2022 home opener on Friday, Sept. 30 when the Charleston Southern Bucs visit the Dedmon Center. First serve is set for 4 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.

FOLLOW RADFORD VOLLEYBALL
For more information on the Radford volleyball team follow @RadfordVB on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Volleyball on Facebook.