SALEM, VA – The Randolph College volleyball team got a double-double from sophomore Jordan Templin (Ferrum, VA/Franklin Co.) but couldn't rally to overcome a 2-1 deficit in dropping its Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) opener to Roanoke College 3-1 from the C. Homer Bast Center Tuesday evening. Roanoke won with scores of 25-20, 19-25, 25-15 and 26-24.

                The WildCats (2-8/0-1 ODAC) trailed the entire first game, but managed to pull the game to within one at 16-15 after a service ace by first-year Celine Rhodes (Barhamsville, VA/Jamestown). The first set would stay close until 5-1 run helped Roanoke (6-4/1-1 ODAC) pull away and take the first game 25-20.

                The second set was a see-saw battle that saw both teams go on big runs. Randolph used four straight points to take a 17-12 lead, but a 7-2 run by the Maroons pulled the set square at 19. The WildCats would go on a 6-0 run to end the set, highlighted by three service aces by sophomore Katherine Lesnak (Blountsville, TN/Sullivan Central).

                The third set looked good for Randolph early on, as it held onto an 8-6 lead. Roanoke strung together five straight points to take the lead and would eventually build as much as a nine-point lead before earning the third set 25-15.

                The final game was exciting, as both teams held leads late. Randolph started the set with a 6-2 lead, thanks to four attack errors by the Maroons, two coming on blocks. Roanoke again rallied, going on a 12-4 run to take a 15-11 lead. After a timeout, the WildCats registered 11 of the game's next 15 points to charge ahead 22-19.

                Roanoke clawed back into the set, tying the score at 22 on an attack error from Randolph. Templin would give the WildCats a 24-23 lead, but two straight points gave the Maroons a 25-24 lead. After the WildCats received the next serve, a whistle was blown for a net violation on Randolph, ending the match and giving the Maroons a hard fought 26-24 victory in the deciding game.

                Rhodes finished with a team and career-high of 12 kills for the WildCats, hitting at a .500 clip for the match. Templin added 11 kills and a game-best 21 digs, while ODAC digs leader Lexi Harrington (Clemmons, NC/West Forsyth) had 15 receptions. Grayce Darden (Martinsville, VA/Martinsville) had six kills and two blocks, and Sam Sublett (Bedford, VA/Staunton River) chalked up four total blocks.

                The WildCats posted 40 assists on the evening, with 20 coming from sophomore Kerry McMichael (Westminster, SC/West Oak) and 14 being added from first-year Andrea Mewhinney (Sanford, NC/Overhills). First-year Marissa McClinton (Bealton, VA/Liberty-Bealton) had five kills.

                Roanoke was paced offensively by the 11 kills from Rachel Kilinski. Alexandra Martin and Samantha Toy had 18 and 15 kills, respectively, while Mackenzie Tyree had 17 digs. Allison White posted eight kills and 14 digs as well for the Maroons.

                Neither team hit particularly well, with the WildCats chalking up a .091 clip and the hosts hitting at a .113 percentage. Each team had six blocks on the evening, and Roanoke edged Randolph slightly in digs, corralling 69 to Randolph's 63.

                The WildCats will return to action this Friday evening at 7 p.m. in Winchester, VA against the Hornets of Shenandoah University in more ODAC play.

--RANDOLPH--