COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The West Georgia Volleyball team fell in their first match to start the weekend at the Golden Eagle Invitational. 

West Georgia (5-3, 0-0 ASUN) fell in a highly competitive matchup against the Radford Highlanders (2-5, 0-0 Big South) who were led by Sydney Mundkowsky and Aubrey Hatch who combined for 21 kills on a .344 hitting percentage. 

In the opening set, West Georgia went back and forth with the Highlanders, with neither team having room for error. Zoë LaBreche had six kills and put the Wolves in a great position to strike, leading 11-9 early. The Highlanders countered attack with great play of their own by Big South Player of the Week, Mundkowsky, which led Radford on a 12-2 run to win the first set, 25-17.

Competitive play from both teams continued in the match with the score being tied 11 times throughout the second set. In the back half of the set, the Wolves found themselves down 20-17 and this led to a UWG timeout. This timeout was crucial for West Georgia because it allowed the Wolves to gain momentum, and after the break they went on a dominant, 6-2 run led by Desha Van Veldhuizen with two key service aces. The Highlander defense was able to extinguish the Wolves run and were able to capitalize to finish the set to win, 25-23.

Radford came out blistering hot to start the third, opening on a 9-2 run.  Before things were able to get out of hand West Georgia was able to muster up a run on the backs of Mary Morgan Formby and LaBreche to tie the set at 18-18. The Wolves were able to take the lead briefly, before Radford would take control and finish the marathon third set, 29-27, to sweep UWG. 

Offensively for West Georgia, LaBreche set down 16 kills and Formby recorded 14. On the defensive side, Alex Strating posted four blocks in the match, which led the team.  

West Georgia will be back in action tonight, against the host team Tennessee Tech at 8 p.m. ET.