10/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
CONWAY - After being on the road for its last three matches, the Coastal Carolina volleyball team is set to return to The HTC Center this weekend as the Chanticleers host Radford for a 7 pm match on Friday, before squaring off against Big South rival Liberty in a 2 pm match on Saturday.
Each game can be viewed for free on the Big South Network.
Friday vs. Radford | 7 pm | The HTC Center
Big South Network
Saturday vs. Liberty | 2 pm | The HTC Center
Big South Network
Coastal Carolina: 14-4 (4-1)
After losing their Big South opener to Winthrop on Sept. 26, the Chants have strung together four consecutive wins against Big South opponents Presbyterian, High Point, Campbell and Charleston Southern. Coastal has only lost two sets during this stretch, posting shutouts against PC and Campbell.
Coastal will look to continue its strong play at home this season, as the Chants have lost only six sets in as many matches at The HTC Center.
Leah Hardeman continues to lead Coastal's attack as the freshman ranks second in the Big South in kills per set at 3.96, and fourth in total kills with 269.
Eszter Nagy remains one of the best players in the country in hitting percentage. The junior currently leads the conference and ranks 10th nationally with a .425 percentage, putting down 162 of her 301 attacks with only 34 errors.
Sam Skryd, meanwhile, continues to move through Coastal's records books. Having already crossed the 1,000-assist threshold this season, the senior setter is just nine assists away from passing Kelsey Mauck for sixth place in Coastal's all-time career records.
Head coach Jozsef Forman is also approaching a personal milestone, as he is only seven wins away from his 50th victory in just his third season as the Chants' bench boss.
Scouting Radford: 14-6 (4-1)
Marci Jenkins, the Highlanders' coach, earned her 100th victory at Radford against UNC Wilmington earlier this season.
Under Jenkins' direction, Radford holds a similar conference record to Winthrop and Coastal Carolina. The Highlanders are led by their defense, which ranks second in the Big South in opponent hitting percentage (.162) and fourth in digs per set (15.86)
Rachel Wiechecki anchors Radford's defense with 3.74 digs per set, while also leading the offense with 3.42 kills per set.
Scouting Liberty: 18-5 (5-0)
The Flames currently sit atop the conference table with an unbeaten league record. They are currently riding a nine-game winning streak, and will face last-place Charleston Southern on Friday before heading north to Conway for Saturday's match.
Jade Vorster was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week for last week after averaging 1.88 blocks per set, while Hannah Weidner was named Freshman of the Week. Carolina Douglas, meanwhile, leads the Big South with 4.39 kills per set.
