RADFORD, Va. – The Presbyterian College Blue Hose volleyball team (4-11, BSC: 0-2) was defeated by the Radford Highlanders (5-8, BSC: 2-0) in straight sets (14-25, 12-25, 18-25).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST SET
The match began with both teams locked in a close battle, quickly tying the score at 6-6. Julia Yurkovich led the charge for Presbyterian with two kills, while Courtney Williams and Elyse Hutchinson each contributed a kill. However, Radford gained momentum, going on a six-point run to take an 11-6 lead.
 
After some back-and-forth action, the score stood at 14-9, with Williams continuing to pace the Blue Hose. Yurkovich added another kill, but Radford extended their lead to 18-10. Hutchinson responded with two kills of her own as Radford reached the 20-point mark. Hutchinson then teamed up with Anna Baranski for a block, but the Highlanders remained in control, closing the set on a 4-1 run to secure a 25-14 victory.
 
SECOND SET
Radford carried their momentum from the first set into the second, jumping out to an 8-0 lead. Hutchinson put the Blue Hose on the board with a kill, but the Highlanders quickly reached double digits. Despite kills from Hutchinson, Yurkovich, Brittney Daphnis, and Hannah Rowe, Radford maintained a commanding 14-5 lead.
 
The Highlanders added two more points before a service error made it 16-6. Another Radford kill prompted a timeout from Presbyterian. Ava Smith contributed a kill, but Radford stayed firmly in control at 20-8. A well-placed service ace by Ava Lowder gave PC a brief spark, but it wasn't enough to slow down the Highlanders, who secured the second set 25-12.
 
THIRD SET
Yurkovich opened the third set strong with three kills, giving Presbyterian an early 4-2 lead. Radford quickly responded, tying the score at 6-6 before taking a 9-7 lead despite a powerful kill from Ashley Miller. A kill from Williams brought PC within one, but the Highlanders responded with five unanswered points to extend their advantage to 14-8.
 
Miller ended Radford's streak with a kill, but the Highlanders reached the media break with a 15-9 lead. After the timeout, both teams traded points, including a pair of kills from Baranski that cut the deficit to 18-12. Another exchange of points followed, highlighted by a Miller kill, but PC called a timeout trailing 21-15.
 
Daphnis added a kill before Radford reached set point at 24-16. Williams responded with a late kill and teamed up with Daphnis for a block, but it wasn't enough to stop the Highlanders, who closed out the set 25-18 to win the match.
 
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose will return to Clinton for a pair of home matches next weekend against Winthrop and Gardner-Webb.