Highlanders Drop First Big South Match

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--Twelve kills and four block assists from sophomore Sarah Martin (Birmingham, Ala./Oak Mountain) helped the Birmingham-Southern volleyball team (6-6, 2-0) to a 3-0 victory over Radford (2-9, 0-1), Saturday in Bill Battle Coliseum. (Box Score)

The Highlanders lost the three games by scores of 30-22, 30-23, 30-23 to drop their first League match of the year.

Martin and junior Jana Smelley (Tuscaloosa, Ala./American Christian) both posted 12 kills, while senior Rachel Malmborg (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way) recorded 10. Senior setter Kyndall Waters (Homewood, Ala./Homewood) amassed 42 assists, while junior libero Lindsey Herzog (Keller, Texas/Keller) tallied 14 digs.

Junior Divona Cox (Virginia Beach, Va./Cox) led the Highlanders with 12 kills of her own, hitting .526 for the match, while freshman setter Josie Hanners (Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman) added 35 assists and 10 digs.

RU returns to action Friday when it comes home for the first time this season to face Coastal Carolina in a Big South Conference match. The Highs will also face Charleston Southern on Saturday. Friday’s match begins at 7:00 pm while Saturday starts at 2:00 pm. The Panthers face Big South foes High Point and Winthrop at home on Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm respectively.