For Immediate Release – 10/25/16 - #097
WildCats Give Yellow Jackets Everything they Can Handle

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College volleyball team hosted Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) leading Randolph-Macon College on Tuesday night.  The 'Cats played the top team in the conference tough, but fell 19-25, 23-25, and 15-25.

R-MC started the match quickly, jumping out to an 8-2 lead, with Alex Mariona having the lone highlight.  However, the set would not be over, as the WildCats proved they would fight all night.  Rebecca Lesnak put together three kills and Mariona served up an ace to help cut the deficit to three.  The teams then traded points, but the 'Cats forced the Yellow Jackets into two mistakes after a kill by Lesnak to bring it to 13-11.  After a single point by the visitors, Randolph tallied two more with Olivia Pullin getting a kill and combining for a block with Mariona.  But Randolph-Macon turned out a five-of-six run to take a 19-14 advantage.  The 'Cats fought back and cut the disadvantage to three after kills by Lesnak (two) and Gillerlain (one), but R-MC closed the first soon after.

The frontline came out strong to start the second set.  Autumn Troxell, Mariona, and Lesnak all slammed home kills, with Kennedy Webb assisting on two of them.  However, the visitors responded and took an 8-5 lead despite another kill from Lesnak.  Randolph answered to eventually tie the score at 10-all after Shelby Bergum and Troxell fired down kills.  Points were then exchanged until Randolph-Macon used a small run to go up 16-13, but it would not last long.  The hosts scored five of six to retake the lead, with Troxell making the final two points.  Once again the rallies would go back and forth, before Mariona started a three-point burst.  But the Yellow Jackets showed why they are one of the best teams in the region and closed out the set with five of six.

R-MC came out very strong and hit extremely well in the third game.  The Yellow Jackets hit .433 in the set, after being outhit by Randolph in the prior game.  The WildCats fought back valiantly, with Lesnak playing especially strong.  She tallied several impressive kills to keep the 'Cats within striking distance.  When match point came, Lesnak killed off a Gillerlain set, before stepping up to serve.  She killed a deep Taylor Webb assist, while also getting several key digs.  Troxell added one more kill to keep the rally going, but the guests finished it out.

Lesnak's tremendous play was reflected in the box score.  She set a new career-high in kills with 16.  She also had eight digs.  Troxell killed off 10 assists as well.  Gillerlain was once again impressive as a setter, recording 32 assists in the match.  Her total of 679 in the season currently has her in eighth-place in program history.  Defensively, Gillerlain dug out nine balls, while Kennedy Webb led the team with 12.

Mariah Clark posted 16 kills for Yellow Jackets (19-4 overall, 11-0 ODAC).

Randolph (4-21, 2-9) closes out its home schedule with a match on Thursday.  The WildCats host Mary Baldwin University (4-23) in a 7 p.m. matchup.  Prior to the contest, Randolph will honor its lone senior, Mariona.

The match also served as the Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer Match.  The WildCats wore yellow shoelaces and proceeds from each purchased shoelace was donated to a local hospital to help families.  If you would like to donate or hear more about the initative, please go to http://www.go4thegoal.org/laceup.html.

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