LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph volleyball team started its season off in a big way as it hosted St. Mary's College of Maryland on Thursday night at Giles Gymnasium. Behind an enthusiastic and a tome loud crowd, the WildCats defeated the Seahawks 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-11).

The WildCats were ahead big in all three sets as they were firmly in control all evening. Leading 4-3 in the first set, the 'Cats went on a 7-2 run to take a 12-5 lead. The Seahawks got as close as 16-9 but Randolph stayed out in front with a 9-3 run down the stretch to take the set. The WildCats had their best hitting percentage at .393.

St. Mary's took the first point in the first set but Randolph responded with a 5-0 run to jump ahead 5-1. The Seahawks looked to keep the score close as they closed to within one point at 9-8. Three straight errors on St. Mary's followed by a kill by Logan Warren (Chesterfield, Va./Steward School) staked the home team to a 13-8 lead. The Seahawks got to within three points at 13-10 and 15-12. The WildCats continue to grow their lead as they went up 21-13. Randolph ended the set with kills by Madison Daniels (Warrenton, Va./Liberty), Kylee Bennett (Fayetteville, Ga./Whitewater), Tomi-Lauren McGinnis (Ringgold, Va./Dan River) and Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) to go ahead 2-0 in the match.

In the third set, the WildCats led 2-0 but The Seahawks got ahead 4-2. After Randolph tied at 4-4, St. Mary's took a 5-4 lead. The 'Cats found some momentum with a big 13-1 run to lead 17-6. The Seahawks closed to 20-10 but it was not enough as Randolph was too much in the end and they cruised to the set and match win.

Randolph hit .286 on the night. Warren and Finnerty both shared the lead in kills with nine each. Warren added three aces and six digs. Finnerty tallied three block assists. Viviana Gustin (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) led with 11 digs and Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) paced the team with 15 assists.

The WildCats go on the road this Saturday to Pfieffer University for a tri-match. Randolph will play Guilford first at 2:00 p.m. followed by the host Falcons at 4:00 p.m.