FAIRFAX, Va. – The Radford volleyball team was defeated in straight sets by the undefeated Brown Bears to kick off the George Mason Tournament on Friday afternoon.
The Highlanders (1-6) are working hard to improve their attack efficiency this season, but couldn't quite keep pace in the first set, falling 25-13.
Brown (5-0) put up 12 kills with only one error for a .458 hitting percentage while Radford had nine kills and 10 errors for a -0.29 hitting percentage – a figure that would be difficult to overcome for any team.
While the second set score of 25-21 was a step in the right direction, the Highlanders recorded 10 attack errors once again compared to six kills. The difference was that Radford's defense stepped up and forced nine errors by the Bears this time around.
The third set required extra points as the Highlanders looked as strong as they have all year, hitting .256 en route to 17 kills.
A 19-all scoreline ensured an exciting ending and Radford delivered, recovering from a 24-22 deficit to tie things up once again at 25-all. A kill by Brown's Hannah Flannery and one last attack error clinched the match for the opposition.
KEY STATS
- After missing the first six matches of the season due to injury, junior middle blocker Sophie Paspal made her debut, finishing with three kills and three total blocks
- Sierra Moore narrowly missed extending her double-double streak to three matches, leading Radford with eight kills and 12 digs
- Radford had a 7-to-6 advantage in service aces, thanks to two aces each from Miranda Howard and Sara Johnson
- Kennedy Robinson (8 kills) and Summer Campbell (7 kills) led the offensive effort
UP NEXT
The Highlanders move on to a challenging doubleheader when they play George Mason (2pm_ and Robert Morris (6pm) on Saturday, Sept. 9. The match against George Mason will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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