LYNCHBURG, Va.- It was a match befitting of a cross-city rivalry. The Randolph and Lynchburg volleyball teams faced off on Wednesday at the RAD Gym in a key Old Dominion Athletic Conference matchup. Back by a supportive and loud crowd, the 'Cats came back down 2-1 to win 3-2.

The victory for Randolph was the first over the Hornets since 2015. The WildCats move to 9-7 overall and 4-3 in the ODAC while Lynchburg drops to 10-6 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

All but the final and fifth set were decided by five points or less in an overall tight contest. Randolph fell behind 3-0 early in the first set until picking up two points to make it 3-2. The Hornets then spurted ahead 11-6 and led 13-7 until a WildCat rally closed the 'Cats to within one point at 13-12. The WildCats were able to match the Hornets point for point to tie the set at 24-24. Kills by Lynchburg's Abbi Leeper and Disa Haugsdahl, however, gave the Hornets the win.

Lynchburg's lead was no more than five points early on in the second set until at 15-10 Randolph went on a huge 9-0 run. Lynchburg closed to 22-20 but kills by Mackenzie Ambrose (Floyd, Va./Floyd County) and Taja Hunley (Sumter, S.C./Thomas Sumter Academy) along with a Hornet error gave Randolph the set win to tie the match up at 1-1.

Points were traded off in the third set with neither team establishing a significant run. Randolph led 17-16 until the Hornets rattled off a 5-0 run to go ahead 21-17. The WildCats closed to 21-20 but Lynchburg outscored Randolph 4-1 to take the win and lead the match 2-1.

Lynchburg surged ahead 5-0 in the fourth frame. The 'Cats fell behind 6-1 until rallying to wrestle the lead away and go up 7-6. Randolph trailed 21-19 but used a 6-1 run to close out the set and win 25-23.

Momentum began to swing in Randolph's direction as the fifth and deciding set began. The WildCats jumped all over the Hornets as they went ahead 9-1. Lynchburg began to chip away but could get no closer than four points as the WildCats' lead was safe as Ambrose's kill ended the match to give the WildCats the win.

Ambrose had another double-double effort with 14 kills and 14 digs while also laying down three service aces. Sam Verhaagen (Virginia Beach, Va./Norfolk Christian) led in digs with 20 with Taylor Webb (Nassawadox, Va./Northampton) behind her with 19. Webb also tallied 25 assists. Lauren Morgan (Bedford, Va./Liberty) had five assisted blocks.

Randolph travels to Lexington to face Washington and Lee on Saturday. Start time for the match is 1:00 p.m.