LYNCHBURG, Va. The Randolph volleyball team hosted Randolph-Macon and Washington and Lee in an ODAC Tri-Match on Saturday at Giles Gymnasium. The WildCats were bested 3-1 and 3-0 by the Jackets and the Generals, respectively.
Against RM-C, the WildCats had the match tied at 2-2 early on but Randolph-Macon used a 15-1 run to take a commanding 17-3 lead. Randolph could not get its bearings going as the Yellow Jackets easily won the set 25-9.
In the second set, the 'Cats led 3-1. RM-C again used a big run to go ahead 8-3. Randolph kept pace to close to within three points at 13-10. The Yellow Jackets did enough to stay out in front and win the frame 25-15.
The WildCats finally were able to get some rhythm going in the third set. With the set tied at 3-3, the 'Cats were able to break off a 16-5 run to go ahead 20-9. Randolph-Macon was able to close to 22-14 but the Wildcats were able to hold them off with three points to end the frame and won 25-14.
Randolph-Macon led throughout the fourth set while Randolph kept it close. The WildCats were able to get to within two points of tying at 20-18. The WildCats only trailed 23-19 but the Jackets picked up the last two points they needed to win the set and match.
Lindsey Taylor (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) tallied 13 digs to lead the team. Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) added 12 digs. Washington and Emily Barcenas (Lawrenceville, Ga./Lanier) both had 10 assists each. Logan Warren (Chesterfield, Va./Steward School) led in kill with six.
In Randolph's match against the Generals, W&L got out ahead 8-2. The WildCats slowly chipped away at their deficit and trailing 11-8, went on a 5-1 run to lead 13-12. That lead went away as a 13-5 run by W&L gave the visitors a 25-18 set win.
The two teams were almost neck and neck with each other in the second set. Down 10-8, the 'Cats went on a 7-0 run to lead 15-10. The Generals countered with a 9-2 run to lead 19-17. Randolph was able to close to 22-21 but three consecutive attack errors to end the set gave Washington and Lee a 25-21 win.
In the third set, the Generals got out ahead 7-1. Their lead grew to 13-3 and W&L stayed out far ahead of the 'Cats to win 25-13.
Taylor once again led the WildCats in digs with 14. Washington added 10 digs and nine assists. Barcenas finished with 11 assists. Audrey Antesberger (Scottsville, Va./Saint Anne;s Belfied) and Logan Warren (Chesterfield, Va./Steward School) both had four block assists. Mackenzie Ambrose (Floyd, Va./Floyd County) and Tomi-Lauren McGinnis (Ringgold, Va./Dan River) led in kills with five each.
Randolph is back on its home floor on Thursday as it hosts another tri-match. The WildCats will face Emory and Henry at 2:00 p.m. followed by Virginia Wesleyan at 6:00 p.m.
