VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- The Randolph women's volleyball team started its 2019 season at the Virginia Wesleyan Tournament. The WildCats faced Wesley College and came out victorious with a 3-1 win. It is the first time Randolph has opened the season with a victory since 2015.

In the first set, the 'Cats held on to a 7-6 lead before going on an 8-2 run to lead 15-8. The Wolverines closed the gap to 15-11 but that was close as they could get as the WildCats stayed ahead and claimed the set 25-18.

Randolph got out to a huge 7-0 lead in the first set before Wesley recovered to put up four straight points and cut the deficit to 7-4. The WildCat lead stood at 10-5 but a 9-1 Wolverine run staked the opponent to a 14-11 advantage. The WildCats were able to rally back and tie the set up four times. On the fourth occasion, a kill by Tomi-Lauren McGinnis (Ringgold, Va./Dan River) and a service ace by Mackenzie Ambrose (Floyd, Va./Floyd County) gave Randolph a 23-21 lead. The Wolverine answered with their own rally to tie the set at 24-all but the 'Cats picked up the last two points on a kill by McGinnis and attack error on Wesley to win 26-24.

The Wolverines took a 10-6 lead in the third set that increased to 18-9. The lead was significant enough to hold up as Wesley won by the score of 25-18.

Wesley took its momentum from the third set into the fourth as it went ahead 3-0. Randolph countered with a 5-1 run to lead 5-4.  Wesley wrestled the lead back at 6-5 but it was short-lived as another 5-1 'Cat run gave the Wildcats a 10-7 advantage. Wesley chipped away and tied the set at 12-12 but Randolph was able to stay out in front and eventually went up 21-16. The Wolverines twice cut to within one point of tying and trailed 21-20. Randolph clung to a 22-21 lead but tallied the last three points to come away with the set win and overall victory.

Playing in her first collegiate match. McGinnis turned in a double-double performance with 12 kills and 18 digs. Ambrose also picked up a double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs.

Sam Verhaagen (Virginia Beach, Va./Norfolk Christian) led the defensive effort with 23 digs. Kennedy Webb (Nassawadox, Va./Northampton) added 17 with Taylor Webb (Nassawadox, Va./Northampton) chipping in 13. Taylor Webb also had 32 assists on the night.

The WildCats had seven service aces in the match. Webb, McGinnis, and Audrey Antesberger (Scottsville, Va./St. Anne's Belfield) all had two apiece.

Randolph is back on the court tomorrow with two matches. The Wildcats take on the host Marlins at 12:00 pm and then finish with Pitt-Bradford at 2:00 p.m.