TOLEDO, OH – Toledo went the distance in its second match and came away victorious following a 3-1 (32-30, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22) triumph over Radford on Friday evening at the Blue/Gold Invitational. It was the second consecutive win for the Rockets.
 
A balanced effort from both an offensive and defensive point of view proved to be the difference for Toledo.
 
Sophomore OH Saige Thomas topped UT with a team-high 15 kills and was joined in double figures by sophomore MB Rachel Vidourek (13 kills, five blocks) and freshman RSH/S Carly Townsend (10 kills, seven digs). Sophomore OH Annie Beasley posted a career-high .444 attack percentage (9-1-18).
 
Senior S Alex Hines recorded her second double-double of the season posting 51 assists and a career-best 16 digs. Hines also notched four blocks and a termination.
 
In addition to Hines, Toledo's defense was spearheaded by back row contributions from freshman libero Maurissa Leonard (18 digs) and sophomore DS Maggie Johnston (18 digs).
 
The opening set was a back-and-forth affair that featured eight ties and three lead changes. UT trailed 24-21 before tying the score. The Rockets finally closed out the set 32-30 with a kill from Thomas and a Radford ball handling error.

UT put forth a great effort in set two but was unable to maintain a lead, falling to the Highlanders 25-20.
 
The Midnight Blue and Gold took control in the start of the third set until Radford was able to tie the score up at 8-8. The Highlanders coasted until a Vidourek termination bumped the Rockets back into the lead at 22-21. UT scored four out of the last five points to win the set, 25-22.
 
Toledo's momentum slowed down entering the fourth set. UT trailed in the beginning until it was able to knot the score at 15-15. After four more tie scores, the Rockets were able to pull through with a 25-22 victory to win the match.

Toledo wraps up the Blue/Gold Invitational tomorrow afternoon with a 1:00 p.m. championship matchup vs. Cleveland State. The Vikings posted a 3-2 win over Radford this morning and followed that up with a 3-0 sweep over Robert Morris.