WINCHESTER, VA – First-year middle hitter Shana Nelson (Colombia,MD/Wilde Lake) posted back-to-back 19 kills contests Saturday, leading the WildCats to a pair of victories over Hood College and Shenandoah University Saturday afternoon in a non-conference tri-match.

The WildCats (3-0) knocked off Hood College in four games with scores of 25-19, 24-26, 25-15 and 25-17. Randolph took control early in game one, leading by as much as seven at 16-9 after a kill by junior M egan Wheatley (Sperryville, VA/Rappahannock Co.). The Blazers battled back, trimming the WildCat advantage to 20-18. Randolph would steady itself, winning five of the next six points to take the game.

The second game was much like the first, as the WildCats wasted no time gaining a big lead at 8-1, as Randolph chalked up four aces, two each from first-years Jordan Templin (Ferrum, VA/Franklin Co.) and Kerry McMichael (Westminster, SC/West Oak) . Hood would battle back, taking its first lead of the match at 23-22. After Randolph tied the score at 24, the Blazers added the next two points to win game two.

In the important third game, Randolph used a 14-2 run after the game was tied at 10 to run away with the match 25-15. The run was highlighted by three kills from Nelson, and two apiece from Wheatley and Templin. The last game of the match was different though, as the WildCats posted a furious rally. After trailing 12-4, the WildCats pull to within four at 14-12 after a kill from Nelson.

Hood would post back-to-back points, but the young talent from Randolph would rise to the occasion. The 'Cats scored 13 of the next 14 points, including an ace from first-year Lexi Harrington (Clemmons, NC/West Forsyth) to end the match. First-year Grayce Darden (Martinsville, VA/Martinsville) had three kills over the stretch, adding the go-ahead kill at 18-17.

Nelson finished with 19 kills on 30 attempts, also chalked up two solo blocks. Darden had her first double-digit collegiate kill contest with 13 kills, while McMichael had 49 assists in the match. Templin ended with seven kils and 19 digs, with sophomore libero Caitlin Glennen (Knoxville, TN/Karns) dug up 15 attacks. Randolph hit at a .283 percentage for the match. Hayley Rogers had a team-high 13 kills in the loss.

In the second match of the day, Randolph took the first two games 25-17 and 29-27 before falling in games three and four by scores of 25-20. The young WildCats showed their mettle, winning game five 15-11 for the match victory. In the opener, the 'Cats led the entire way, finishing the match on a service ace from Darden.

In the second set, the WildCats outlasted the host Hornets 29-27 as Darden again ended the marathon game with an ace. After the Hornets battled back to win the next two games, Randolph showed its heart controlling the fifth set and ending the match on a Nelson kill.

Nelson had 19 kills on 42 attempts, finishing with a team-best three solo blocks. Darden had 14 kills and four aces, while Wheatley finished the SU match with seven kills, five aces and 11 digs. McMichael was again solid, chalking up 44 assists with seven digs and Glennen had 10 digs.

Shenandoah's Rachel Maki had a double-double with a team-best 13 kills and 10 digs. Mary Harshman had 18 digs and, Brooke Strathy and Kelcy Brown had 22 and 24 assists, respectively.

Randolph will open its 2011 home schedule on Wednesday evening, entertaining the Panthers of Ferrum College at 7 p.m. in The Den at Randolph Athletic and Dance Center.

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