Box Score For Immediate Release – 9/7/16 - #030
WildCats Play Close in Home Opener but Fall to Salem
LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College volleyball team played its first home game of the 2016 season on Wednesday. Despite pushing Salem College past 25 points in two of the sets, the WildCats fell 28-30, 24-26, and 19-25 in a non-conference match.
The 'Cats started off the match very well, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Rebecca Lesnak killed two passes, while Alex Mariona had one, and Lauren Morgan registered a solo block. The Spirits rallied with four of their own to tie the score. After a point for the WildCats, SC scored four of the next five to take a two-point lead. The Spirits kept the margin near that point until the midway mark of the set. Randolph ripped off three consecutive points. Shelby Bergum had a massive kill, while Mariona served up two aces, with the second giving the 'Cats an 18-17 lead. Salem came back and retook a small advantage. However, three straight kills (Mariona, Lesnak, and Sam Verhaagen) were all assisted by Brooks Gillerlain and pushed Randolph to set point. However, the Spirits came back and once again moved out in front. But the WildCats were not done. Lesnak and Bergum posted kills, helping the hosts earn a set point. However, SC scored three straight to take the extended first (sets end at 25 points but are win by two).
The next set once again saw the 'Cats come out strong, which was highlighted by a Troxell kill at 3-0. Salem scored six of the next eight, but it would be answered by an even larger run by Randolph. 11 of the next 12 points in the game were scored by the WildCats, with them coming in several ways. Morgan had two aces, while Mariona killed two passes, and Gillerlain and Lesnak each had one. The two sides then exchanged points, with Randolph holding a 20-13 edge. The visitors answered with a similar run, establishing a lead at 24-22. The WildCats refused to give up and scored back-to-back points, with Gillerlain tying it with a kill. However, Salem responded and took the second.
Following the first two points of the third, the visitors scored six straight. It was answered as Lesnak and Mariona both had kills and the 'Cats were down one. However, SC used a mini-burst to push the advantage to four, where it would stay for a few points. But Taylor Webb and Troxell brought the team back with emphatic kills. The Spirits though would once again counter, extending the lead to 18-12. The home side showed a lot of fight by coming back and bringing the set within two, but the visitors ended up winning the set and the match.
Lesnak led the team with 10 kills on the night, while Toxell and Mariona posted eight and seven respectively. Troxell also had a good game defensively, digging 14 balls out and assisting on two blocks. Verhaagen led the team with 15 digs, while Gillerlain posted 22 assists in the match.
Kylie Taffer led the Spirits (3-2 overall) with a match-high of 15 kills.
Randolph (1-4) returns to the road this weekend for another tournament. However, the trip will be shorter, as the WildCats will play in the Lynchburg College Invitational. The first game is Friday at 3 p.m. against Maryville College (1-3).
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