Box Score RADFORD, Va. -- Sophomore Megan Schmidt (Bloomington, Ill./Central Catholic) had a career-high 15 kills and sophomore Annie Cave (Easton, Ill./Illini Central) added 11 kills, but it wasn't enough to lead Bradley to a victory against Radford Saturday night at the Radford Invitational as the Highlanders topped BU 25-14, 27-25, 17-25, 25-22. The Braves (6-3 overall) finished the weekend with a 3-1 record and took second in the tournament to host Radford.
Radford (5-2 overall) used a 10-1 run in the first set to take control as the Highlanders jumped out to an 18-9 lead. The Braves struggled offensively in the opening set, hitting just .065 as Radford cruised to a 25-14 win.
Bradley hit .111 in the second set and limited Radford to an .088 hitting percentage in the frame, but the Highlanders rallied late to win the set. With the score tied at 23-23, Cave found the floor with a kill giving the Braves set-point, but Radford's Laura Waddell recorded one of her team-high 12 kills to tie the score at 24-24. Cave again notched a kill to put Bradley in front 25-24, but Caroline Ratterree tied the score at 25-25 with a kill. A Bradley attack error and Radford block closed out a 27-25 Radford victory in a set which featured 11 ties and eight lead changes.
The Braves fell behind 9-6 early in the third set, before scoring five consecutive points to take a 11-9 lead. Bradley's lead was 18-16 when the Braves used a 7-1 spurt to close out a 25-17 win. Freshman Skylar Lesan (Solon, Iowa/Solon) and junior Caitlin Staib (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) combined on a block and Schmidt and freshman Alise Tupuritis (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West) followed with another block to open the spurt. Schmidt added a kill after a Radford point and senior Amy Reichel (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) notched a pair of kills to help highlight the run. Lesan capped the set with one of her three service aces to close out the 25-17 Bradley victory.
Radford used another late rally to take the fourth set and close out the match with a 25-22 victory. The Braves trailed early in the frame, but held a 22-20 lead late in the set after a Radford attack error. Ratterree had a kill to help spark a 5-0 Highlander run which closed out the set. Desiree Aramburu followed with another kill and Kiley Kent served up one of her four aces on the night to give Radford a 23-22 lead. A pair of Bradley attack errors provided the final two points for the Highlanders as they won the set 25-22.
Schmidt finished with a career and match-high 15 kills, while attacking at a .387 clip. Cave added 11 kills, while Tupuritis and Staib each finished with nine kills each to help pace Bradley offensively. Lesan posted her second double-double of the season, finishing with 40 assists and 10 digs to go along with three aces and four kills. Tupuritis and Lesan were both named to the Radford Invitational All-Tournament team.
The Highlanders held a 65-58 edge in digs, with four Radford players reaching double figures. Katelyn Meeks had a match-high 20 digs, while Lauren Clary had nine kills and 13 digs. Waddell led the Highlanders offensively with 12 kills, with Kent adding four aces and 11 digs.
Bradley returns to action Friday when the Braves welcome UTEP, Coppin State and Montana State to the Markin Family Student Recreation Center for the CEFCU Classic. Action begins Friday at 4:30 p.m. with Coppin State facing Montana State. The Braves will play UTEP at 7 p.m. to conlude the first day of play.
