CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Radford volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to Charleston Southern inside the Buc Dome on Friday night.
 
After an incredible showing inside the Dedmon Center last weekend in which the Highlanders won both matches, they clearly brought what they learned into the first set against Charleston Southern.
 
Kennedy Robinson (six kills) and Sydney Mundkowsky (four kills) combined for a powerful first effort, leading Radford to 16 kills as a team, as well as two service aces. The Bucs were held to just eight kills and the Highlanders took a 1-0 lead to begin the night.
 
The strong play continued throughout much of the second set, crescendoing into a 22-16 lead. It was then that the momentum completely shifted from one side of the court to the other.
 
CSU rattled off four straight points to pull within two before Coach Livingston was forced to call a timeout. Radford's regrouping didn't make the difference it hoped for however, as the Bucs extended the set and ended it on an 11-3 run to take it, 27-25, and tie the match.
 
With each set played, the Bucs got better and better. Their hitting percentage improved from .161 to .273 and then to .353 in the third set, resulting in 15 kills and only three errors. The hosts also notched a pair of blocks to take it 25-17 and go ahead for the first time.
 
Radford did well to reverse that trend in the fourth set, holding CSU to a .161 hitting percentage this time around. Nevertheless, the Bucs did well enough to take a commanding 21-16 lead.
 
Delivering another gutsy performance, the Highlanders battled all the way back and then some, taking a 24-22 lead. With their home crowd cheering them on, Charleston Southern managed to put together one last ditch effort and close out the match.
 
NOTABLES

• Sophie Paspal recorded a season-high 12 kills and 14.5 points
• Mundkowsky (11), Robinson (11) and Flanagan (10) also reached double-digit kills
• Shelby Hernandez had 23 digs (second most this season) and a season-high six assists
• Julia Slivka was Radford's primary distributor with 28 assists

UP NEXT
The Highlanders face off with the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Saturday, October 14 at 2 p.m. in Clinton, South Carolina.
 
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