SALEM, Va.- The Randolph volleyball team wrapped up the second day of competition at the Maroon Classic hosted by Roanoke College on Saturday. The WildCats defeated Mary Baldwin 3-1 (25-15, 25-23, 21-25, 27-25) in their first match and dropped a 3-0 decision (17-25, 21-25, 14-25) to N.C. Wesleyan in their final match of the day.
Against the Fighting Squirrels, Randolph got out to leads of 5-0 and 9-2 in the first set. Mary Baldwin closed to 14-9 but the WildCats were just too much as they got ahead 20-9 on their way to the win.
The second set saw Mary Baldwin take a big lead of 6-0 to start things off. Following a timeout, the WildCats regrouped and rattled off four straight points to close to 6-4. After getting to within one point of tying at 8-7, the Fighting Squirrels racked up five points to go up 13-7. An 8-0 run by the 'Cats, however, pushed Randolph ahead 15-13. The teams exchanged points in the final stretch but Randolph got the last two points it needed to win the set and go up 2-0 in the match.
Trailing 12-11 in the third set, the WildCats saw the Fighting Squirrels use a 7-2 run to lead 19-13. Randolph got as close as a point, 21-20, but Mary Baldwin outscored Randolph 4-1 to claim the set.
MBU started off the fourth set with four straight points to take the early lead. Randolph rallied but the Fighting Squirrels managed to stay out in front. Late in the set, Mary Baldwin led 20-17. The WildCats clawed their way back but still trailed 25-24. Kills by Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) and Cali Martin (Axton, Va./Carlisle) along with an attack error on MBU, gave Randolph the three points it need to win the set and match.
Logan Warren (Chesterfield, Va./Steward School) led the way with 16 kills and five service aces. Kenleigh Gunter (Troutville, Va./Lord Botetourt) had 26 digs while Tomi-Lauren McGinnis (Ringgold, Va./Dan River) added 21 digs, nine kills, and three service aces. Washington finished with seven kills as did Martin. Cydney Dewees (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) laid down four service aces. Emily Barcenas (Lawrenceville, Ga./Lanier) totaled 35 assists and eight digs.
Against the Battling Bishops in the second match, Randolph fell behind 7-3 in the first set but rallied to tie it up at 8-8. N.C. Wesleyan used a 6-1 run to go up 15-9. The Battling Bishops stayed out in front for the rest of the set to claim the win.
The WlldCats led in the second set by 12-8 at one point. N.C. Wesleyan went on a 12-4 run to go ahead 20-16. Randolph was able to close to 23-21 but the Battling Bishops tallied back-to-back kills to take the frame.
N.C. Wesleyan got out to a 6-0 lead in the third set. Randolph put up a fight as it kept the pace and was within three points at 17-14. The Battling Bishops were just two much as an 8-0 run put the 'Cats away.
Gunter led with 16 digs. Barcenas picked up 11 assists. McGinnis and Lily Wilson (Fincastle, Va./James River) both had four kills.
Warren was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Randolph travels to Washington and Lee to begin ODAC play on Wednesday. Match time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
