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
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.
