8

SPORTS

THE TARTAN Nov. 2, 2011

Radford Volleyball falls to Liberty in five-game thriller

Volleyball now stands at 11-14 overall, with a 5-5 record in the Big South Conference with four games left in the season
VICKI MADDEN
vmadden@radford.edu
Radford University Volleyball started out with a 2-0 lead against the Liberty University Flames on Oct. 28 from the Vines Center, but rst-place Liberty stopped Radfords blitz attack and rallied past the Highlanders in ve sets (23-25, 29-25, 25-20, 25-16, 155). Senior setter Leigh Myers and freshman outside hitter Rachel Wiechecki each recorded double-doubles for the Highlanders. The Highs are now at an 11-14 record with a split record of 5-5 in the Big South. Libertys Lillie Happel registered a double-double of 12 kills and 13 digs for the Lady Flames who are now 14-11 on the season. This win puts the rst place Lady Flames at nine wins and one loss in Big South competition. Myers put out some stat-breaking match plays with 23 assists and also recorded a season-high 10 digs for her second collegiate double-double. Wiechecki posted a matchbest 14 kills and added 11 digs for her teamhigh fth double-double of the season. Also with double-gure digs were freshman libero Rachel Brummitt and sophomore outside hitter Emily Carlin with 20 and 13 digs, respectively. Adding 11 kills a-piece, junior opposite hiter Emily Hayes and freshman middle blocker Emma Deininger. Back to back kills by Wiechecki and Deininger got RU out of a close rst set and completed a set-ending 4-1 run that led to a 25-23 victory. RU started out to a 6-2 lead in set two, and Liberty came back to tie it at 13-apiece. The Highs then struck off four straight points and continued to grab a 25-19 win and a 2-0 advantage. The Lady Flames pushed past an early back-and-forth start and held a lead for the rest of the way. The Flames nished set with a 25-20 victory. The fourth set proved to be another tough battle as the Flames pulled ahead with a 9-1 run to tie the match and proceed to set ve. Libertys success carried into the fth set as the Lady Flames marked a 7-2 lead and carried through the 5th set full speed ahead. Libertys Melissa Racz matched teammate Happels tally of 12 kills, while Jade Craycraft posted 40 assists, seven kills and six digs. RU will host High Point University on Nov. 4 in the Dedmon Center at 7 p.m.

Photos by COURTNEY EARLL | The Tartan

The Highs have four matchups left before the Big South Tournament, which begins on Nov

RU Volleyball has to say goodbye to five seniors from their 19 women at the end of this season.

Mens Soccer battles Gardner-Webb to 0-0 stalemate

DOM BAYA
dbaya@radford.edu
In a pivotal Big South matchup the Radford University Mens Soccer team played a tough match against the Gardner-Webb University Runnin Bulldogs on Senior Night, Oct. 29. The Highlanders eventually fought the second place team in the conference to a 0-0 draw. Since the Oct. 29 match was the last home game of the season for Mens Soccer, the seven graduating seniors were honored for their service and sacrices over the past few years. Defenders Aldo Macias and Kevin Fleming, midelders Brian Gwanzura, Anthony Payne and Ryan Stinnett, and forwards Carter Mills and Iyiola Awosika were all introduced to a raucous RU crowd, and each recieved commemorative plaques and standing ovations in honor of their time at RU. After the pregame ceremonies were completed, the match nally began. The match itself would prove to be a defensive slugfest, as both squads fought bitterly over the 90 minutes of regulation time to gain an advantage over the other. After two full halves of solid defense by both squads, the scoreless affair was sent into overtime. The only scoring attempt in the rst half by RU came from sophomore midelder Luis Grande, who has been on a recent hot streak since he scored two consecutive goals against Virginia Tech on Oct. 25. Grandes shot missed near the left post from six yards out, and the miss ensured that the match would remain scoreless for the time being. Junior goalkeeper Ryan Taylors pair of clutch saves kept the Runnin Bulldogs from scoring in the 61st minute. Taylor has been trading time between the posts with sophomore goalkeeper Dane Wilson, but Taylor got the start over the second place Runnin Bulldogs, who trail only Costal Carolina University in the Big South conference standings. The teams had plenty of legitimate shots of scoring a goal near the nal minutes of regulation, but neither was able to capitalize on their opportunities. RU outshout the Runnin Bulldogs 18-13 while being edged in corner kicks 8-6. Each team had three shots on goal and three saves in front of a dedicated RU crowd, which stayed until the end of the 110 minute match to watch the Highlanders ght to a draw in near freezing temperatures. With the 0-0 tie, RUs conference record improved to 3-3-1. I thought it was a fantastic college soccer game. Our seniors found a way to not lose tonight, said Head Coach Marc Reeves. The Highs will conclude the regular season with a pair of road games starting against the Liberty University Flames on Nov. 2.

COURTNEY EARLL | The Tartan

Sophomore midfielder Luis Grande has enjoyed a breakout season, and currently has the second most goals on the team with six.

NORPAC: Highs look forward to challenging championship

From page 7
the teams that look to be the main threat to the Highlanders. Stanford currently holds a record of 13-2, with a perfect 6-0 conference record, and California holds a record of 13-3, with a record of 4-2 in NorPac West. Weve had some really good games this year, weve played some people really tough, Woods said. Even our ACC opponents, and our Colonial opponents have been really good games so were capable of playing some really good hockey and thats what weve been doing all year this season. Again its just a matter of nishing or not nishing. The Highs have been criticized this year for their inability to seal the deal in close games. Sometimes we hold onto the ball too much, said senior forward and leading scorer Melissa Register. We need to work on passing, but then we have these games where were just connecting like when we played Davidson at home here, and we were just connecting. We need to be more consistent. We may have a young defense but when they step up, you cant beat us. Senior back Lynsey Daughtrey had plenty to say about the teams chemistry. We just really need to work together, said Daughtrey. I mean, when we work together thats when we play the best, obviously, so as long were all working together, all working hard, thats what works. Currently, in the East Division of the NorPac Conference, Longwoods record of 11-8, with a 5-1 conference record. This gives the Lancers a rm hold on rst place, and Davidsons 8-7 (2-2) record gives them the No. 2 seed. Unfortunately, RUs loss against Davidson this past weekend ensures that the Highs will be stuck in the No. 3 seed. The NorPac Championships will be held on the weekend of Nov. 3-5, with Stanford University playing host to the tournament in Stanford, California.

COURTNEY EARLL | The Tartan

With seven seniors graduating after this year, RU Field Hockey will have to replace some crucial role players after the 2011 season.