LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College volleyball team started its 2012 season Saturday with two matches in the Lynchburg College Invitational. The WildCats knocked off Mary Baldwin College in straight sets before dropping a heartbreaking five-setter to Meredith College in the second match of the day.

                Against Mary Baldwin, the WildCats (1-1) didn't hit the best from the field, but frustrated the Fighting Squirrels with the serve all match. Randolph totaled 15 aces in the contest, including a game-high six from sophomore Jordan Templin (Ferrum, VA/Franklin Co.). In game one, Randolph jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead, but MBC rallied to tie the score at 16.

                Randolph rattled off the next six points and would cruise to the 25-20 win. In game two, Randolph again led early, but the scrappy Fighting Squirrels came back to take a 22-20 advantage. The WildCats showed some resilience, running off five straight points to earn the 25-22 game two victory. In the last set, the WildCats swung a blistering .478 from the floor in coasting to a 25-12 win.

                Senior Sam Sublett (Bedford, VA/Staunton River) had seven kills on only 10 attempts in the match, adding three assisted blocks. Sophomore Grayce Darden (Martinsville, VA/Martinsville) posted seven kills as well, while Templin had five kills, six digs and the aforementioned six aces. Sophomore Kerry McMichael (Westminster, SC/West Oak) had 10 assists, and first-year Celine Rhodes (Burnhamsville, VA/Jamestown) had five total blocks and dive service aces. Lexi Harrington (Clemmons, NC/West Forsyth) had a team-high 14 digs.

                In the afternoon contest with Meredith, Randolph won the first two sets but couldn't hold on as the Avenging Angels grabbed the momentum and captured the come-from-behind victory. In game one, the WildCats four-point run at 15-15 to propel them to a 25-23 win. The second game went the way of Randolph due to a .303 hitting percentage and some great defense.

                Unfortunately, Meredith would get their stride in the final three games, posting hitting percentages of .423, .391 and .545 over the last three stanzas to earn the triumph. The WildCats got 14 kills in the match from Darden, who equaled her highest collegiate putout offensively.

                Templin added 10 kills, nine digs, two aces, and two blocks while junior Sydney Henson (Winston-Salem, NC/Ronald Reagan) posted a career-best eight kills to go with her three service aces. Sublett chalked up seven kills and three assisted blocks, and Rhodes had eight kills and two blocks. First-year Marissa McClinton (Bealeton, VA/Liberty-Bealeton) had six blocks in the match for Randolph.

                Sophomore libero registered 15 digs in the match, and setters Andrea Mewhinney (Sanford, NC/Overhills) and McMichael had 19 and 18 assists, respectively. Harrington had 15 digs to lead the way for Randolph.

                The WildCats are back in action tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. as they take on Meredith College again before battling host Lynchburg College at 3 p.m. in the final day of the tournament.

--RANDOLPH--