DANVILLE, VA.- The Randolph volleyball team played its first match against Averett in four years and the first between the two schools since Averett joined the ODAC. The Cougars prevailed on Wednesday night 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-20, 25-15).

Randolph's record falls to 9-6 overall and 1-3 in the conference. The Cougars improve to 9-6 on the season and 4-1 in the ODAC.

Averett got out ahead 12-3 in the first set. The Cougar lead was 17-9 but the WildCats inched their way back. They would rally to make the set 21-18 and then 22-19. AU, however, picked up the last three points to claim the frame and take a 1-0 lead.

Averett again took a lead to begin the second set 5-0. Down 8-5, Randolph used a 16-5 run to lead 21-13. The lead was enough to give the WildCats a 25-18 set win and even the match up.

The third set saw the two teams exchange points back and forth until Averett broke ahead 15-11. Randolph trailed 23-17 before tallying three points to make it 23-20. The Cougars got the last two points to win the set and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Averett led 10-5 in the fourth set until Randolph closed to 10-9. The Cougars got back out in front with a five-point run leading 15-9. Randolph came back to make it 17-14 but AU used an 8-1 run to pull away from the 'Cats and win the match.

Mackenzie Woodson (Norfolk, Va./Norfolk Collegiate) led the offense with nine kills. Nikki Hurt (Cartersville, Va./Cumberland) added eight kills, six digs, and four block assists. Brooke Murdock (Evington, Va./Timberlake Christian) chipped in seven kills and led with eight block assists. Brooklyn Finnerty (Lynchburg, Va./Timberlake) put down seven kills. Melody Washington (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) totaled 22 assists. Jayda Domenech (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) led in digs with 14.

The WildCats travel to Shenandoah on Friday. Game time from Winchester is at 6:30 p.m.