GREENSBORO, NC.- The Randolph volleyball team played a ODAC quad-match Saturday against Eastern Mennonite and Bridgewater. The matches were held at Guilford College. Randolph dropped the first match to EMU 3-1.
In the first set against the Royals, Randolph led 4-2 but the Royals used a 6-0 run to go ahead 8-4. Trailing 11-7, the WildCats grabbed the lead back with a 6-0 run of their own to go up 13-11. EMU, however, snatched the lead back to go up 16-15. The lead would change hands six times. Randolph led late in the set 23-21 and at 24-22 were a point away from going up 1-0 in the match. Eastern Mennonite rallied to go up 25-24 and ended up taking the frame 27-25.
In the second set, the teams exchanged points in the early goings. With the set tied at 8-8, EMU pulled ahead 13-8. The 'Cats got as close as 20-18 but a late 5-2 run by the Royals gave EMU a 25-20 set win.
In the third set, the Royals led 3-0 but the WildCats would tie at 3-3. The Eastern Mennonite lead would grow to as much as five points at 15-10. Randolph rallied with an 8-1 run to go on top 18-16. EMU would take a couple of leads with the final time at 23-22. The WildCats prevented a Royal set win as EMU had three straight attack errors to give Randolph the three points it needed to win 25-23.
The fourth set saw the Royals break away with an 8-4 lead until the WildCats cut it to within one points at 8-7. An 11-2 EMU run boosted the Royals ahead 19-9. The lead was enough for Eastern Mennonite to win 25-13 and take the match.
Tomi-Lauren McGinnis (Ringgold, Va./Dan River) led with 10 kills to go with seven digs and two service aces. Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) added nine kills, 12 digs, and 15 assists. Kenleigh Gunter (Troutville, Va./Lord Botetourt) led in digs with 13. Emily Barcenas (Lawrenceville, Ga./Lanier) led in assists with 19 while contributing eight digs and two service aces.
In Randolph's second match of the day against the Eagles, the two teams traded off points early on. The WildCats were ahead late at 19-18. It would be their last lead as Bridgewater went on a 5-0 run to go up 23-19. The Eagles would go on to win 25-21.
In the second set, Randolph led 11-8. The Eagles came back to go ahead 18-15 but the WildCats countered with a short run to lead 19-18. The momentum swayed BC's way as it used a 7-2 run to win the set 25-21.
Bridgewater led early on in the third set. Randolph led 19-17 and then 20-19. The Eagles again used a big run, this time 6-1, to close out the WildCats and win 25-21.
Logan Warren (Chesterfield, Va./Steward School) led the 'Cats with eight kills. Washington had a double-double effort of 14 digs and 10 assists. Gunter added 11 digs. Barcenas added 12 assists. Kinley Spinks (Covington, Va./Covington) had four block assists.
Randolph returns home to host Lynchburg this coming Wednesday. Game time will be at 6:00 p.m.
