SALEM, Va.- The Randolph volleyball team started the first of two matches at the Maroon Classic hosted by Roanoke College on Friday. The WildCats defeated Methodist 3-2 in the first match.
The WildCats had several career efforts against the Monarchs. Emily Barcenas (Lawrenceville, Ga./Lanier HS) totaled 46 assists while Kenleigh Gunter (Troutville, Va./Lord Botetourt) picked up 44 digs. For Gunter, it was a new Randolph match record. Also achieving career bests were Cali Martin (Axton, Va./Carlisle) (5 BA) and Logan Warren (Chesterfield, Va./Steward School) (7 BA)
In the first set, the two teams exchanged points early on. With Randolph holding a 4-3 advantage, Methodist went on a 5-0 run to take an 8-4 lead. The Monarchs' lead went up to as much as 17-9. The WildCats closed to 22-19 but MU tallied the last three points to win 25-19.
Down 2-0 in the second set, the 'Cats ripped off a 10-0 run to go ahead 10-2. The lead grew to 14-5 until Methodist started to chip away at its deficit to close to 19-16. The WildCats closed out the Monarchs with a 6-1 run to take the set 25-17.
The third set saw neither team take a lead bigger than three points. The set went to match point five times. Randolph led 28-27 but the Monarchs tallied the last three points to win 30-28.
The WIldCats took a 10-3 lead in the third set. MU inched its way back to eventually tie it up at 13-13 and the go up 17-16. Ahead 24-22, Randolph took the frame on a kill by Tomi-Lauren McGinnis (Ringgold, Va./Dan River).
The deciding set had Randolph break away from a 6-5 lead to go up 14-6. After the Monarchs closed to 14-8, Lily Wilson's (Fincastle, Va./James River) kill gave the WildCats the set and match win.
Warren led the 'Cats in kills with 15 and laid down three service aces. McGinnis added 12 kills and 14 digs. Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) chipped in 12 kills and six digs. Wilson finished with 12 kills and hit .435
The WildCats dropped a 3-2 decision to Greensboro in their second match of the day.
Randolph took a 4-0 and 7-3 lead. Trailing 11-9 and following a timeout, the 'Cats went on a 7-0 run to go up 16-11. With a 23-20 lead, a kill by Warren and an attack error on the Pride gave the WildCats a 25-20 win.
The WildCats went ahead 7-5 in the second set before Greensboro wrestled the lead away and took a 15-10 lead. The Pride stayed out in front for the remainder of the set and won 25-21.
The 'Cats got out to a huge 8-0 lead in the third set. The lead grew to as much as 14-4 and was as much as 21-10. Randolph would go on to a 25-17 set win.
Greensboro got out to an 11-5 lead in the fourth set. The Pride stayed out in front for the remainder of the stanza on their way to a 25-18 win.
The WildCats got out ahead 5-2 in the final set but the Pride rallied to overtake the 'Cats. Greensboro used an 11-2 run to go up 13-7. Randolph closed to 13-10 but could not get any closer as the Pride won 15-11 to take the match.
Warren led the WildCats with 12 kills and six block assists. Gunter put up 37 digs. McGinnis added 10 kills and seven digs. Madison Daniels (Warrenton, Va./Liberty) and Cydney Dewees (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) contributed 13 and 11 digs, respectively. Barcenas tallied 41 assists. Washington chipped in seven digs and five block assists.
Randolph returns to Roanoke tomorrow for the second day of completion. The WildCats face Mary Baldwin at 12:00 p.m. and North Carolina Wesleyan at 2:00 p.m.
