LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Randolph's home court advantage once again came through, as the WildCats defended the RAD Center court to earn a league win tonight.

Before the match, seniors Lexi Harrington and Jordan Templin were honored for their accomplishments, as they became the career leaders in program history in digs and kills, respectively, earlier this season.

Those two would play a starring role in tonight's win, as well.

In the first set, Randolph raced out to a big edge, which was closed out by Templin with a kill, an ace and two more points on her service.

The WildCats fell behind 4-0 early in the second, but rallied after a timeout.

On the service of Harrington, Randolph tallied six straight points to take the lead it would never relinquish.

An EMU run made the set tight, however, at 15-14, but Randolph scored the next eight on the service of senior Katherine Lesnak, and closed out the set with kills by Templin and sophomore Jenny Sanborn.

The third set was once again close, as the teams were level at 19-19 before Randolph once again closed well, scoring six of the last seven points.

As has happened multiple times this year, it was Templin with the match-ending kill off a pass from classmate Kerry McMichael, ending the Royals threat.

The defense was essential in the victory, as the WildCats held EMU to just .064 hitting on the day.

"Our defense was pretty huge, especially our blockers," Harrington said. "We knew they were a strong hitting team and we needed to do everything we could to get our first ODAC win."

Leading that defensive charge was junior Marissa McClinton, who blocked seven attacks on the day.

Harrington led all players with 20 digs, while Templin had 13.

"It was very important for us to win tonight, especially on our home court," said Templin, the match leader with 11 kills.

McClinton also helped lead the offensive charge, hitting .436 on 16 attempts as Randolph hit over .300 as a team for the third time this year.

Randolph started last season 5-1 at home and is 2-0 at the RAD Center so far in 2014. Overall, Randolph has won 10 of its last 14 matches on its home court.

The WildCats will look to even their ODAC record on Friday as they face Hollins on the road.

Harrington and Templin honored pre-match

Templin and Harrington discussing the match