For Immediate Release – 10/7/16 - #075
Randolph Frontline Paves the Way in Win over Hollins

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College volleyball team had three different attackers post over 10 kills, helping the WildCats to a three-set victory over Hollins University on Friday night.  It was the first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) win of the year for the 'Cats, taking down HU 25-20, 25-17, and 25-12.  The win was also the ninth-straight in the series.

Hollins got off to an early lead in the first, going up 8-2, with Alex Mariona's early kill the only highlight.  However, Randolph responded with a 5-1 run to bring the team within two.  Mariona was responsible for four points (two aces, one block, one kill) and Shelby Bergum had the other kill.  But HU came right back to extend the lead to 14-8.  Next up was Autumn Troxell.  She killed two Brooks Gillerlain sets and assisted on a block with Bergum to bring the margin to three.  Hollins would get two additional two-point runs, but the 'Cats posted four in between.  Mariona once again had a kill and a block assist (with Olivia Pullin), while Troxell added another slam.  However, after that second mini burst, Randolph owned the remainder of the game.  The WildCats scored six in a row, as Troxell and Rebecca Lesnak posted kills, while Mariona had two more (one set each from Gillerlain and Kennedy Webb).  The hosts then closed it out with four of the final five points, as Pullin, Mariona, and Bergum all joined the kill-party.

The second was back and forth early, but the momentum quickly swayed towards the WildCats.  After being down two, Randolph registered another six-point burst.  Bergum slammed three, including one emphatic one after an opposing dig came straight back over the net.  Lesnak also had a kill, while Mariona served up another ace.  After a single point by Hollins, Bergum ripped off two more kills and a big block to double the visitors.  The teams then began to exchange points, as the lead did not grow until 20-12.  Once again, Bergum notched a kill and Mariona followed with an ace.  HU made a final push to bring the game closer, but the 'Cats rallied off five of seven to go up 2-0.  Bergum added another, while Troxell closed out the set with a big slam.

The final set reversed the trend of the start of the previous sets, as Randolph opened with four straight.  Gillerlain had two aces, Mariona killed a set, and Pullin and Mariona combined for a block.  After a single visitor point, three more came to the home side.  Once again, Pullin and Mariona blocked an attempt and Mariona notched a kill.  Again a single point, before two more home ones pushed the score to 9-2.  The lead was extended again after another single point for Hollins.  Mariona, Troxell, and Bergum went back-to-back-to-back to extend the lead to 12-3.  HU then scored twice, but Randolph came back with another four-point run.  Troxell had two kills, while Bergum had one (Canaan Taylor and Kennedy Webb assisted on them).  The teams then traded points until the score became 20-10.  Mariona had two more kills over the final run, but Hollins sneaked two more points in there.  Then, with match point, Sam Verhaagen made a pass to Kennedy Webb and the libero sent a backwards shot over the net.  It fell in the middle of the court for the victory.

Mariona led the frontline with 14 kills (hitting .522).  Bergum registered 13 (.455), while Troxell came in with 10 (.300).  Troxell also added a game-high 11 digs for her ninth double-double of the year.  Gillerlain also had a big night, recording 34 assists and 10 digs for her ninth double-double as well.

Casey Mahan had 15 assists for Hollins (2-16 overall, 0-6 ODAC).

Randolph (3-15, 1-5) will remain at home for its next match.  The WildCats welcome crosstown rival Lynchburg College (11-6, 4-1) on Wednesday night, with the action set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

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