SALEM, Va.- The Randolph volleyball team competed on the second day of competition at the Maroon Classic hosted by Roanoke College. In the first match of the day, Randolph faced Salem for the second time this week. The set scores were closer than the score indicated but the Spirits came out on top 3-0 (16-25, 21-25, 22-25). The WildCats rebounded to defeat Greensboro in their second match 3-1 (25-23, 28-30, 25-17, 25-21)
Randolph registered the first point of the first set before the Spirits scored four straight times to lead 4-0. The WildCats responded with a five-point run to go back ahead by one at 5-4. A 7-0 burst by Salem gave it an 11-5 lead. The WildCats were as close as 15-12 but the Spirits used a 10-4 run to break from the 'Cats and claimed the first set.
Salem got in front 9-5 in the second set. Randolph kept the pace and was able to eventually take the lead at 20-19. A 6-1 run in the end, however, by Salem was enough th push it ahead to take the set win.
Randolph got out to leads of 8-2 and 10-4 in the third set and grew to 12-5. The WildCat advantage was 17-10 until a 6-1 Spirits run cut the lead to two points. The 'Cats held on to a three point lead at 22-19 but a Salem late run, this time 6-0, erased the Randolph lead as the Spirits took the set and the match.
Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) led in kills with eight. Brooke Murdock (Evington, Va./Timberlake Christian) and Mackenzie Woodson (Norfolk, Va./Norfolk Christian) both contributed six kills each. Murdock also totaled nine total blocks and two service aces while Woodson added eight digs. Viviana Gustin (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) led in digs with 19. Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) put up 13 assists and Jayda Domenech (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) 11 assists.
Against the Pride, Randolph got out to a 3-1 lead but Greensboro responded with a four-point run to go up 5-3 in the first set. The WildCats eventually grabbed the lead back and went up at one point 22-15. Greensboro came back and trailed by one point at 24-23 but blocks by Ainsley Simmons (Fincastle, Va./James River) and Murdock gave Randolph the winning point it needed.
The Pride led 7-3 in the second set. Trailing 12-9, the 'Cats used an 8-2 run to go up 17-14. Greensboro tied at 17-all and then both teams exchanged points. The Pride led 22-20 before Randolph tied the set at 22-22. Randolph led 26-25, 27-26, and 28-27 but could not get the winning point it needed. The Pride scored the last three points of the frame to win 30-28 and knot the match at 1-1.
In the third set, Randolph was behind 8-5. The WildCats went on a 7-1 run to take a 12-9 lead. The advantage grew to 23-15 and the 'Cats were able to stave off the Pride and win the set to go ahead in the match.
Randolph used momentum to get out in front in the fourth set. The WildCats led 18-10 and 21-12. Greensboro closed to within three points late but it was not enough as Randolph was able to come out with the set and match win.
Woodson led the WildCats offensively with 12 kills and added 10 digs for the double-double effort. She was named to the All-Tournament Team. Murdock added 11 kills, eight total blocks, and four digs. Madison Daniels (Warrenton, Va./Liberty) led the team in digs with 18. Tomi-Lauren McGinnis (Ringgold, Va./Dan River) added 14 digs and six kills. Domenech tallied 23 assists and nine digs and Washington 15 assists, five kills, and five assisted blocks. Nikki Hurt (Cartersville, Va./Cumberland) contributed nine kills with a team high .500 hitting percentage.
Randolph opens conference play against defending ODAC champion Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday. Game time from Giles Gymnasium is at 6:00 p.m.
