RADFORD, Va. – The Radford volleyball team looked electric in its opening set before dropping a 3-1 decision to Gardner-Webb on Carilion Clinic Court in the Dedmon Center on Saturday evening.
With just four teams set to earn a bid to the Big South Tournament this season, the Highlanders are in a tough position at 4-16 overall and 3-8 in conference play with three games left to go. The Runnin' Bulldogs did themselves a huge favor on the other hand, improving to 12-11 on the season and 6-5 in Big South play.
Playing in front of a solid crowd on the program's annual Dig Pink day, the Highlanders dominated the first set en route to a 25-15 win. As a team, Radford posted 12 kills and just three errors for a .275 hitting percentage while also getting up for four blocks.
Gardner-Webb then made some clear adjustments to their game plan, starting with a change at setter. Those adjustments made a big difference the rest of the way.
The Runnin' Bulldogs pulled away for a 25-20 win in the second set, highlighted by an impressive 19 kills and .359 hitting percentage.
GWU also snagged wins in the third and fourth sets to close things out, each by the score of 25-21.
Sierra Moore was fed the ball for much of the match, leading the Highlanders with 12 kills on 34 attack attempts. She also recorded 12 kills in a win over Iona earlier this season, but it took 51 attack attempts to reach that season high.
The visitors got 13 kills from Avery Cole, 12 kills from Jenna Otts and 11 kills from Autumn Flowers, giving them a true three-headed monster approach on offense.
NOTABLES
- The match featured 17 tied scores and five lead changes
- Radford earned a slight edge in total blocks, 13.0-to-12.0
- Julia Slivka and Jackeline Nerro matched each other with 17 assists apiece
UP NEXT
Radford continues its homestand next weekend when it welcomes Presbyterian and Charleston Southern to the Dedmon Center. The Highlanders face the Blue Hose on Friday, Nov. 3 at 6pm and then the Buccaneers on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 4pm. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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