Big Nights by Roberts and Potter Not Enough as Volleyball Falls to Winthrop 3-1

Friday, October 9

Radford, Va.

6:00 PM

Radford University

8-10,2-2Big South

Winthrop

8-5,4-0Big South

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Winthrop	28	19	25	25	3
Radford	26	25	15	21	1

Big Nights by Roberts and Potter Not Enough as Volleyball Falls to Winthrop 3-1

10/9/2026 8:42:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – The Highlanders were competitive and rode big nights by Macie Potter and Taryn Roberts in their Big South opener against Winthrop Friday night, but unfortunately fell in the 3-1 final.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Roberts led the team with 17 kills, her most in a match since the first weekend of the season.
The reigning freshman of the week Potter looked the part as she tallied another double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs.
Radford brought out the block party with nine total blocks, tied for second most in a match this season. Maja Bochenek finished with six assists while Aubrey Hatch also had four.
Serving woes plagued Radford as the team served up 18 errors to Winthrop's 3, a decisive 15-point margin in the close match. It was their most serving errors since the season opener against Hampton.

THE BREAKDOWN
The Highlanders would rally for an early lead before a late advantage ultimately slipped away falling in an extended first set against the Eagles. The reigning Big South champions Winthrop weren't easily overcome as both teams hit at a near .300 clip. The offense came from all angles, but Roberts got her strong night started with a pair of kills early.

A kill by Hatch and ace from Potter saw Radford navigate through a Winthrop timeout for a 15-11 lead at the media timeout. That advantage would quickly slip away as service errors started to pile up with five total in the set. Down 24-22, a kill and block assist by Bochenek extended the set and kills from Hatch and Potter had Radford ahead 26-25. Winthrop rallied for a 3-0 run to close the set, though, and took a 1-0 lead.

In set two the Highlanders' defense buckled down and held Winthrop to a .000 attack percentage while the offense kept firing at a .370 clip. Potter especially came alive with six kills to overpower the Eagles. Seven of Winthrop's 19 points came off service errors as Radford otherwise dominated.

Up 15-14, Radford got a 4-0 run thanks to kills from Ela Shepard and Roberts. Potter kept firing and Radford built its lead further to 21-15. Down the stretch, a slew of misfires by Winthrop gave Radford the ultimate edge in a 25-19 second set win.

The third set was one to brush off for Radford as Winthrop took it decisively 25-15. While Radford continued to hit well with 10 of their 15 points coming off kills, Winthrop took advantage of four aces and a .269 attacking clip to earn the set and a 2-1 lead.

The Highlanders bounced back in set four and it was another competitive back and forth affair. Roberts continued her hot streak for a team high seven kills as Radford hit .317 overall. The service errors were limited as Radford hit just one while allowing no Eagles aces.

That allowed Radford to never fall too far behind as their largest deficit was at the final point, falling 25-21. A slew of kills by Hatch and Roberts did have Radford ahead 19-17 late looking to force a decider fifth set for a second straight season in Dedmon against Winthrop. The Eagles would end the match on a massive 9-2 run, though, sealing the losing decision for Radford at 3-1.

UP NEXT
Tomorrow will feature Radford's Dig Pink match against Gardner-Webb with a new 2:00 p.m. start time due to weather moving into the area. Action will be streamed on ESPN+.

STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD VOLLEYBALL
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