LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph volleyball team hosted Roanoke in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference match on Saturday afternoon at Giles Gymnasium. The WildCats took the first set but the visiting Marrons claimed the next three as they won 3-1 (19-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19).
The WildCats' overall record now stands at 11-12 overall and 2-8 in the ODAC. Roanoke improves to 9-10 on the season and 4-6 in the conference.
Randolph led for most of the early portion of the first set. The Maroons briefly led 14-13 but the 'Cats used a 6-0 run to grab the lead back and go up 19-14. Roanoke would not get closer than three points as the WildCats held off the Maroon comeback as they claimed the set 25-19.
The WildCats kept pace with Roanoke in the early portion of the second set. Randolph clinged to an 8-7 lead but RC rolled off nine straight points to lead 16-8. The 'Cats got as close as 23-16 but the Maroons got the last two points they needed to win the set and tie the match at 1-1.
Roanoke got out in front 12-6 in the third set and was ahead 19-11. The WildCats once again tried to close their deficit as they moved to 24-18 but a kill by RC's Georgie Ritter was the set point for Roanoke.
The Maroons went ahead 12-5 in the fourth frame. The two teams went back and forth exchanging points. Down 23-15, Randolph rallied with a 5-1 run to get the score to 24-19. RC would get set point on a kill by Claire Williams to take the set and win the match.
Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) led the Randolph offensive attack with eight kills and hit .333 on the day. Brooke Murdock (Evington, Va./Timberlake Christian) added seven kills and five total blocks. Three WildCats reached double figures in digs led by Nikki Hurt's (Cartersville, Va./Cumberland) 11. Madison Daniels (Warrenton, Va./Liberty) and Vivianna Gustin (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) both had 10 digs each. Jayda Domenech (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) had a team-high 16 assists to go with nine digs. Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) added 11 assists.
Randolph closes out its homestand on Wednesday when it hosts Bridgewater. Game time is at 6:00 p.m.